El Pacto de Cárdenas Ojo Gallo 2023

Viñedos El Pacto makes Ojo Gallo from a single old vineyard in the Alto Najerilla Valley, in the upper reaches of Rioja Alta below the Sierra de la Demanda. The plot was planted in 1957 at 600 metres on clay and stony soils with a high iron content. The altitude that once made the grapes hard to ripen now works in the wine's favour, giving cool nights and a long, slow ripening that preserves acidity and freshness. This is a field blend of Garnacha, Graciano, Malvasía, Tempranillo, Viura and Mazuelo grown and picked together, an old Rioja practice. The wine is aged for 10 months in concrete and large wooden vats, which lets it settle and round out without adding obvious oak flavour, keeping the focus on fruit and soil. The colour is bright red. The nose shows fresh red berries and cherry with dried herbs and an earthy, stony lift. The palate is fresh and supple, with fine tannins and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 16 degrees with roast and grilled meats or vegetable dishes.