Gutierrez de la Vega Imagine 2021

Gutiérrez de la Vega is a family winery in the Jalón valley north west of Valencia, on the eastern Spanish coast. Giró is the local name for Alicante Bouschet, a teinturier grape whose flesh and juice are red rather than white, which gives unusually deep colour and body. Traditionally it was used to add weight to lighter blends, but here it stands alone. The vineyards sit close to the Mediterranean, where warm days and sea breezes ripen the fruit fully while keeping a measure of freshness. Farming is organic. Ageing runs eighteen months in used French oak, so the barrel softens the tannins and adds air without imposing new wood flavour, keeping the dark fruit to the front. The wine is deep, near opaque red, with blackberry, ripe plum and black cherry over liquorice, earth and a touch of spice. The palate is full and dense, the tannins firm but ripe, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting ahead. It pairs with grilled red meat, roast lamb and mushroom dishes.