Finca Los Guijarrales 2024

Goyo Garcia Viticultor is a natural grower working around La Aguilera in Burgos, within Ribera del Duero, and Finca Los Guijarrales is an unusual single-variety Graciano, a grape more often used in small amounts for colour and acidity. The vines are 40 years old, farmed organically, and sit high at 880 metres, where red sandy soils strewn with boulders, the guijarros that give the wine its name, drain fast and warm the vineyard by day. At this altitude the wide gap between hot days and cold nights slows ripening and locks in the firm acidity and aromatic lift that mark Graciano, while keeping the alcohol in check despite full phenolic ripeness. The fruit is hand-picked in early October at optimum ripeness. Made in a natural style with native-yeast fermentation, minimal additions and a measured spell in barrel, the wine keeps its fresh, savoury character rather than leaning on oak. It is organic and vegan. The colour is deep, bright red. The nose shows red currant, cherry and plum with black pepper, dried herbs and an earthy, mineral edge. The palate is medium to full bodied, fresh and structured, with fine tannin, vivid acidity and a long, peppery, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting young bottles. Good with red meat and mushrooms.