La Multa Garnacha 2020

El Escocés Volante is the Aragón project of a Scottish winemaker working old-vine Garnacha in Calatayud, in the dry hills of inland Spain. La Multa comes from vines of 35 to 50 years planted on slate slopes above the Ribota river, at around 700 to 800 metres. Altitude is central here, the cold nights against warm days give a wide temperature swing that builds aromatic concentration while holding acidity, and the slate soils and low rainfall keep yields small and the fruit intense. This is a young wine, destemmed and macerated on skins to draw colour and flavour, then made without oak so the ripe Garnacha fruit and the site lead. The colour is a deep bright red. The nose shows ripe red berries and plum over black pepper, wild herbs and a hint of liquorice. The palate is full and generous, with ripe fruit, moderate soft tannin, a warming alcohol and a spiced, stony finish carrying clove and earth. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled and roast meats and roasted vegetables.