Garmón 2022

Garmón is a red wine from Ribera del Duero made by Bodegas Continental in Olivares de Duero, Valladolid. The winery is the work of Mariano García, for many years the oenologist at Vega Sicilia and now co owner of Aalto, together with his children, extending the family's Mauro project into the appellation. The focus is on raising the value of old Tempranillo clones from old vineyards, a return to the area's traditional reds. Those older vines crop low and ripen evenly, concentrating fruit and tannin, while the continental Ribera climate, with its sharp diurnal swing, keeps acidity and colour intact. The wine ages sixteen months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and folds in cocoa, spice and vanilla without masking the fruit. The colour is dense purple ruby. The nose shows juicy red and black fruit, cocoa, liquorice and a savoury, earthy depth. The palate is full and tightly structured, with precise dark fruit, firm but fine tannins and a long oak framed finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead, with roast and grilled red meats.