Martue Especial 2021

Martúe produces this red on its own estate at Campo de la Guardia, a single vineyard Vino de Pago in Castilla-La Mancha, the highest Spanish quality classification for an individual estate. The continental plateau here is hot and dry by day with marked cooling at night, and the limestone and clay soils drain well, conditions that ripen the fruit fully while the wide diurnal range holds acidity and freshness. The blend is led by Syrah and rounded out with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, a Mediterranean reading of a Bordeaux frame. It ages fourteen months in oak barrels, where oxygen exchange through the wood polishes the tannins and adds vanilla, spice and a dark chocolate edge to the ripe fruit. At fifteen per cent alcohol it is full and warm. The colour is deep cherry, almost opaque. The nose shows ripe plum, dried fig, black fruit and red berries over black pepper, vanilla and cocoa. The palate is rich and concentrated, with ripe rounded tannins, balancing acidity and a long, spiced, oak framed finish. Serve at seventeen degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits grilled and roast red meat and strong cheeses.