La Viña de Ayer Garnacha 2021

Soto y Manrique is a small family winery in the Sierra de Gredos, in the Cebreros zone of Castilla y León, founded in 2012 by Jesús María Soto and named for him and his wife. They farm their own vineyards, all planted in 1990, with the aim of showing the character of the soils, a mix of limestone, granite and sand. Gredos Garnacha is shaped by altitude and granite: the high, cool mountain sites and stony, free-draining soils give low yields, fine tannins and bright acidity, producing a lighter, more perfumed style of the grape than the warm lowlands. The wide diurnal range preserves aromatic lift and freshness. The wine spends six months in foudre, large old oak vats that allow gentle oxygen exchange and texture while adding little wood flavour, so the fruit and floral character stay clear. The colour is bright, light ruby. The nose is perfumed, with fresh red cherry and raspberry, rose and a floral, herbal lift over a granite minerality. The palate is light to medium bodied, fresh and fine, with delicate tannins, lively acidity and a peppery, stony finish. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees, lightly chilled if you like. It suits roast poultry, duck and mushrooms.