Eulogio Pomares Carralcoba Caiño Tinto 2023

Eulogio Pomares is a third-generation Salnés valley grower in D.O. Rías Baixas, a winery founded in 1920 and far better known for Albariño than for red wine. Carralcoba is made from Caíño Tinto, a native Galician variety suited to the cool, damp Atlantic climate on granite-derived sandy soils. The maritime setting keeps ripeness low and natural acidity high, which is why the wine sits at 11.5 percent and stays light in body. After fermentation it spends eight months in chestnut barrels rather than oak, a traditional Galician vessel that allows gentle oxygen exchange and softens the variety's firm acidity and tannin without adding obvious wood flavour. The result is pale ruby in colour, with a nose of redcurrant, sour cherry and crushed herbs over a savoury, peppery base. The palate is fresh and sappy, low in alcohol, with bright acidity, a fine grippy tannin and a saline finish that reflects the coastal soils. Serve lightly chilled at around 14 degrees in a Burgundy glass. It works well with grilled oily fish, roast poultry and mushroom dishes.