Domaines Lupier La Dama 2023

Domaines Lupier sits in San Martín de Unx in Navarra, a small estate now in the hands of the respected winemaker Raúl Pérez. La Dama draws on Garnacha from fifteen separate parcels of vines around 75 years old, planted on a patchwork of stony, limestone influenced soils at the foot of the Sierra de Codés. Old Garnacha vines crop at low yields and concentrate flavour, while the cool nights and the altitude of these plots hold acidity and slow ripening, giving freshness alongside power. The fruit is aged for fourteen months in 700, 500 and 300 litre French oak, where the larger formats allow gentle oxygen exchange and integrate tannin without heavy toast or overt vanilla. The wine is deep ruby, with a nose of raspberry, plum, dried thyme and a stony, earthy undertone. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine grained tannin, ripe red and dark fruit, black pepper and a savoury finish that reflects the old vines and the cooler sites. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, and decant young bottles. It suits roast lamb, game and mushroom dishes.