Parotet 2022

Parotet comes from Celler del Roure, a family winery in Moixent whose owner Pablo Calatayud has rebuilt his vineyards around varieties native to inland Valencia. The wine blends Mandó and Arcos from roughly 6 hectares of sandy loam soils sitting at about 600 metres in the Valle de las Alcusses. The sandy fraction gives free drainage and naturally low vigour, which keeps yields modest and tannins fine, while the altitude widens the day to night temperature swing, so the grapes ripen slowly and hold their acidity and aromatic detail. Fruit is hand picked into 15 kg boxes and fermented with the vineyard's own indigenous yeasts, then aged for ten months in clay amphorae. The porous clay allows a gentle, even oxygen exchange without adding any oak flavour, so the result stays bright and grape driven rather than woody. It is light to medium bodied, with blueberry and ripe blackberry fruit, subtle floral and earthy notes and a fresh, savoury finish. Serve lightly chilled at around 14C, in a standard red glass; it suits roast chicken, grilled pork and mushroom dishes.