Pago del Vicario Petit Verdot Rosado 2023

Pago del Vicario farms more than 130 hectares about 9 km from Ciudad Real in Castilla La Mancha, with its vineyards sitting at 600 metres on the banks of the Guadiana river. This is a varietal rosado made from 100 percent Petit Verdot grown on the estate. The river-influenced climate brings mild temperatures and a wide thermal contrast between day and night, and that diurnal swing slows ripening so the grapes hold acidity while the skins develop colour and flavour. Petit Verdot is a late-ripening, deeply pigmented variety, so even as a rosé it gives a more structured, fruit-driven style than the paler Provence model. The wine is made young and fresh, without oak ageing, to keep the primary fruit forward. The colour is a vivid pink. The nose is intense, with blackberry and red fruit, menthol, liquorice, blue flowers, rockrose and a peppery note. The palate is dense and fresh, the altitude acidity cutting the ripe fruit. Serve chilled at around 9 to 11 degrees. Its weight suits grilled pork, roast chicken and meatier fish.