Enate Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2023

Enate is a leading name in D.O. Somontano, a small Aragonese region in the foothills of the Pyrenees where cooler air and stony soils suit the Bordeaux grapes well. This red blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a pairing that combines the firm tannin and blackcurrant of the Cabernet with the rounder plum and softer texture of the Merlot. The wine ages for six months in American oak followed by a period in bottle, a measured ageing in which the wood adds vanilla and gentle spice while the bottle time lets the components knit together and the tannins settle. The colour is deep with violet flashes. The nose shows ripe black fruit, redcurrant and a floral violet note, with vanilla and a light tobacco edge from the oak. The palate is medium to full bodied, smooth and balanced, with fine tannin and a savoury, fresh finish that explains why it is a regular recommendation from chefs and sommeliers. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees with grilled beef, roast lamb or a mature cheese.