Marqués de Griñón ‘Emeritvs’ 2019

Emeritus is a red from Marqués de Griñón made at Dominio de Valdepusa in Toledo, a single estate held by the family since 1292 and now its own quality designation. It blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Petit Verdot, grown on clay limestone soils. The lime rich soil gives structure and freshness, while the warm, dry continental climate of central Spain ripens these later Bordeaux and Rhône varieties fully, and the cooling night temperatures help preserve acidity and aromatic detail. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and moved into the fermentation tanks by gravity to keep them whole. A long maceration of four to five weeks draws deep colour, tannin and flavour from the skins, then the wine ages twenty to twenty four months in new and used French oak from Allier in a climate controlled cellar. The extended oxygen exchange through the oak builds and polishes the firm Cabernet tannins and adds cedar, spice and toast. The colour is deep red. The nose shows blackcurrant and red currant, plum, pepper, a minty eucalyptus lift and cedar from the oak. The palate is full and structured, with firm tannins, dark fruit and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant ahead. It suits roast beef, lamb and game.