Jose Gil Camino de Ribas Parcela La Cóncova 2024

José Gil is a young vigneron working organically farmed old vines in the Sonsierra hills of Rioja Alta, continuing a family legacy of growers rather than merchants. Camino de Ribas is a single-parcel village wine built as a traditional field blend, mostly Garnacha and Tempranillo with a small share of white varieties co-fermented in the old style, which adds aromatic lift and softens the texture. The vineyards sit on poor calcareous clay at altitude, where cool nights preserve acidity and slow ripening keeps the alcohol moderate at 13.5 per cent. Whole clusters in the ferment contribute the floral, peppery character and a fine crunch of tannin. Ten months in barrel round the wine gently without adding heavy oak, the slow oxygen ingress settling the fruit. The colour is a bright, light red. The nose is floral and lifted, with wild strawberry, cherry, rose and a curry-like flourish of exotic spice. The palate is elegant and balanced, with fresh red fruit, gentle grip and a clean, savoury close. Serve lightly cool at 14 to 15 degrees in a standard red glass. It suits roast pork, poultry and mushroom dishes.