La Maldita Tinto 2025

La Maldita works only with Garnacha, the variety older Rioja growers nicknamed la maldita, the cursed one, for how hard it once was to vinify well. La Maldita Tinto is a single-variety Garnacha from vineyards in Rioja Baja, in the warmer south-east of the appellation, planted at around 700 metres above sea level. That altitude is the key to the wine. The high elevation brings cool nights and a wide day-to-night temperature swing that slows ripening, preserves acidity and keeps the aromatics fresh, so the Garnacha stays light and fragrant rather than heavy despite the warm region. The wine spends just three months in French oak, a short pass that softens the tannins through gentle oxygen exchange while leaving the fruit clean and free of obvious wood flavour. The result is a fresh, easy young red. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows red cherry and raspberry over a floral, peppery lift and a touch of dried herbs. The palate is light bodied and juicy, with soft tannins, lively acidity and a clean, lightly spicy finish. Serve cool, at 14 to 16 degrees. It suits grilled pork and roast chicken.