Los Frailes Caliza 2023

Caliza is made by Casa Los Frailes in the D.O. Utiel-Requena in Valencia, from the local Monastrell grape, and is part of a trio of wines mapping the estate's different soils. Caliza is named for its limestone, the chalky soil that gives the wine its mineral, savoury character. The estate is farmed biodynamically and organically across vineyards in the Vals dels Alforins, an inland, higher altitude pocket where cool nights preserve acidity in a warm region. The wine is aged ten months in clay amphorae rather than oak. Clay allows a slow, gentle oxygen exchange that settles the tannin and rounds the texture while adding no wood flavour, so the fruit and the limestone freshness stay in front. The colour is bright, deep cherry. The nose shows red and black cherry, plum, dried Mediterranean herbs, black pepper and a clear stony, earthy note. The palate is medium to full bodied, fresher and more savoury than typical Monastrell, with firm but fine tannin, lively acidity and a mineral, herb tinged finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled lamb, roast vegetables and herby Mediterranean dishes.