Naranjas Azules Garnacha 2024

Bodega Soto y Manrique is a small family project founded in 2012 by Jesús Mª Soto in Villaverde de Medina, working fruit from D.O. Cebreros in the Sierra de Gredos. Naranjas Azules is a single-variety Garnacha Tinta rosé from vineyards planted in 1990. The Gredos foothills combine limestone and granite soils with marked altitude, and the wide diurnal swing between warm days and cold nights slows ripening, holding natural acidity and preserving the pale colour and delicate aromatics that characterise the wine. Granite gives lift and tension, while limestone adds backbone. Short skin contact extracts only a little colour and phenolic grip, keeping the wine fresh and light. The colour is very pale pink. The nose shows fresh red berries, jasmine and white flowers, with a cool note of mint. The palate is dry and crisp, with red cherry and white peach carried on bright acidity, and a clean, savoury close. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees in a white wine glass. It works through an aperitif and into a meal of grilled prawns, summer salads or fresh white fish.