Finca Antigua Merlot 2021

Finca Antigua Merlot is a red wine from D.O. La Mancha, made by Finca Antigua, the winery the Martinez Bujanda family founded in 2003. La Mancha has a strongly continental climate, with freezing winters and very hot, dry summers, the mountains keeping rainfall low. The large seasonal and daily temperature swings are well suited to even ripening, letting the Merlot reach ripeness while holding freshness. The wine ages a short five months in French oak, enough to round the texture and add a light cedar and vanilla spice without covering the fruit. Slow oxygen exchange through the barrel softens the tannins and knits the wine together. It is bright red in the glass, with plum, red cherry and a touch of blackberry on the nose, framed by soft herbs and a gentle oak spice. The palate is medium bodied and supple, with ripe, rounded fruit, moderate acidity and fine, easy tannin carrying into a clean, lightly spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It pairs well with grilled pork, roast chicken, mushroom dishes and medium hard cheeses.