La Suerte de Arrayán 2019

La Suerte de Arrayán is a red from the D.O. Méntrida, made entirely from Garnacha by the Arrayán winery. The vineyard lies in El Real de San Vicente at seven hundred and twenty metres, on the granite and sandy soils of the Gredos foothills, with vines of around sixty years. The climate is marked by extremely cold winters and very hot summers, and the altitude brings a wide swing between warm days and cold nights. That diurnal range is what gives old vine Garnacha here its freshness and perfume rather than weight, while the poor granitic soils keep yields low and concentrate the fruit. The grapes are harvested by hand and machine, and the wine spends twelve months in French oak, which softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds a light spice frame without masking the fruit. It is medium bodied and bright, showing red berries and cherry over wild herbs, pepper and a touch of liquorice, with a stony, faintly floral edge. The tannins are fine grained and the finish is fresh and savoury. Serve at sixteen degrees, lightly cooled. It suits roast and grilled lamb, poultry and mushrooms.