Mengoba El Colao 2016

Mengoba is a grower in Bierzo, the cool, mountain-rimmed corner of Castilla y León in north-west Spain known for its slate and clay soils. El Colao is made from Alicante Bouschet, an unusual teinturier variety whose flesh is red as well as the skin, which gives the wine its dense colour and deep fruit. Bierzo's combination of Atlantic influence and continental altitude gives a long, cool ripening season that keeps acidity fresh under ripe fruit, here at 14 percent alcohol. The farming is organic, and the wine ages 12 months in barrel under a crianza regime, where measured oak oxygenation softens the tannins and adds spice and a savoury frame to the fruit. The colour is deep, near-opaque ruby. The nose shows ripe plum and dark berries with dark chocolate, black pepper, liquorice and a clear earthy, mineral note from the soils. The palate is full and ripe, with rounded tannins, a dense fruit core and a long, earthy finish. This is a distinctive, deeply coloured red for hearty plates. Serve at 17 degrees and decant for an hour. It suits roast meat, game and mushrooms.