El Reventón 2023

El Reventón is a Sierra de Gredos red made by Alejandro Vigil, Adrianna Catena and Gearóid Lane under the D.O. Cebreros. It is drawn from ancient Garnacha vines, roughly 80 to 90 years old, in the narrow Valle del Reventón near the village of Cebreros. The valley is steep and shadowed, with very limited sunlight, and the vines sit at 900 metres on quartz slate and red clay. These poor, well draining soils and the harsh, high altitude climate, with bitterly cold winters and a wide day to night swing, ripen the Garnacha slowly and keep yields tiny, giving a wine that is light on its feet yet concentrated, with bright acidity holding the 14.5 per cent alcohol in check. Ageing runs 11 months in a mix of barrel and concrete, the concrete preserving fruit purity and freshness while the wood lends gentle structure and a touch of spice. The colour is a luminous medium red. The nose leads with red currant and raspberry, lifted by a floral hint of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is fresh and finely textured, with silky tannins, a savoury, stony depth and a long, perfumed finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees. A natural with lamb and game.