Coto de Hayas Crianza 2021

Coto de Hayas Crianza is a red from D.O. Campo de Borja, made by Bodegas Aragonesas at Fuendejalon in Zaragoza from Garnacha and Tempranillo. The vines are between twenty and thirty years old, set in the warm, dry Ebro valley under the influence of the Moncayo massif, whose cold winter winds and stony soils slow ripening just enough to keep acidity in this sunny climate. Old-vine Garnacha here gives generous ripe fruit, while Tempranillo adds structure and a savoury edge. The grapes are picked in the second week of September, fermented at a controlled twenty-eight degrees and macerated for around fifteen days to extract colour and supple tannin. The wine then spends nine months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins and adds spice and a measured vanilla note. The colour is deep ruby with violet lights. The nose shows ripe red and black fruit, plum and cherry over black pepper, liquorice and sweet oak. The palate is full and warming, with ripe fruit, soft tannins and a spiced, lightly oaky finish. Serve at 17 degrees. It suits grilled lamb, beef and roast pork.