Envínate Albahra 2024

Envínate Albahra comes from the four winemakers behind the Envínate project, here working with Garnacha Tintorera grown around Almansa in inland Castilla La Mancha. This is a hot, dry, high plateau, but the limestone rich soils and altitude preserve freshness, and the team picks for energy rather than weight, which is why the wine sits at a modest thirteen percent. Garnacha Tintorera is a teinturier variety, meaning its flesh as well as its skin is red, so even with gentle handling it gives deep colour and ripe berry fruit. Fermentation and five months of ageing take place in concrete and old stone vats rather than new oak, a neutral environment that keeps the fruit clean and lets the variety and site speak without wood spice. The result is a deeply coloured but light bodied red. The nose offers red and black berries, cherry, cracked black pepper and a dusting of dried Mediterranean herbs, with an earthy undertow. The palate is juicy and fresh, with supple tannin and bright acidity. Serve cool, around 14 to 16 degrees, with roast chicken, grilled pork or tomato led dishes.