Habla Nº35 2021

Habla Nº35 comes from Bodegas Habla, a family winery in Extremadura working from the Trujillo plains in western Iberia. This bottling is part of the winery's collection of limited numbered editions, each a one-off blend, and this release is built on Cabernet Franc. Extremadura is a warm, sunny, continental region of poor soils and large day-to-night temperature swings, conditions that ripen Cabernet Franc fully and tame its leafier side while keeping aromatic freshness and acidity. The grapes are matured twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the tannins, stabilises colour and adds spice and a sweet, toasty frame around the fruit. The colour is deep, with mahogany highlights. The nose is intense and expressive, dominated by sweet liquorice and ripe dark fruit with a peppery, spiced lift. The palate is medium to full bodied and savoury, with ripe tannin, good freshness and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting if young. It is a good match for roast and grilled red meats and game.