El Bufón de Arrayán Garnacha 2021

El Bufón de Arrayán comes from a tiny plot of under one hectare near Cebreros in the Sierra de Gredos, at the western edge of D.O. Méntrida. The vines are over sixty years old and sit at 980 metres on steep slate slopes with a gradient close to 32 per cent. This is old-vine Garnacha grown in an extreme continental climate, where hot days and cold nights preserve freshness and the slate soils force the roots deep, giving low yields of concentrated fruit. The wine is aged seventeen months in oak, a long élevage that rounds the tannins and adds a fine spice while letting the site's minerality show. At 15 per cent it is ripe and full without losing lift, a hallmark of high-altitude Gredos Garnacha. Expect a bright red colour and a nose of ripe raspberry and dark cherry with cracked pepper, dried herbs and a stony, mineral edge. The palate is generous and warm, fruit-driven but framed by firm, fine tannin and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted for an hour. Good with roast red meat, game and mushroom dishes.