Laya 2024

Laya is a powerful red from Atalaya, part of the Familia Gil group, made in D.O. Almansa in the east of Castilla-La Mancha near the Valencia border. It blends Garnacha Tintorera, a teinturier grape with dark flesh and dark juice, with Monastrell, and the vines grow between 700 and 1,000 metres above sea level. That altitude brings a wide swing between hot days and cold nights, which lets the grapes ripen to full intensity while holding enough acidity to keep the wine fresh. Garnacha Tintorera gives the deep colour and dark fruit, while Monastrell adds firm structure and a savoury, earthy edge. The wine spends four months in French oak barrels, enough to round the tannins and add a light smoky, spicy frame without burying the fruit. It is deeply coloured and full bodied, with ripe plum and black cherry, black olive, tomato leaf, liquorice and a peppery warmth from its 14.5 percent alcohol. The finish is long and savoury. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, and decant young bottles for half an hour. It stands up to grilled red meat, lamb and rich tomato stews.