Jean Leon 3055 Petit Verdot Merlot 2024

Jean Leon 3055 Petit Verdot Merlot is a red from DO Penedes, made by the Jean Leon winery in Torrelavit and named for the taxi licence the founder held in his early New York days. It blends Merlot, which gives plush plum and cherry fruit and a rounded body, with Petit Verdot, a late ripening grape that adds colour, firm structure, black pepper and a herbal lift. The wine is certified organic and vegan, the vineyards farmed without synthetic chemicals. Penedes sits inland from the Catalan coast, where altitude and the cooling influence of the Mediterranean give a useful day to night temperature range that keeps acidity and freshness in the grapes. The wine spends just four months in oak, a short maturation that softens the tannins and adds a touch of spice while keeping the fruit fresh and forward. The 2024 shows ripe plum, cherry and redcurrant over black pepper, dried herbs and a light vanilla note from the oak. The palate is medium bodied at 14 percent, fresh and balanced with fine tannins and a savoury finish. Serve at 16 degrees. A versatile partner for roast and grilled meats.