Payoya Negra 2022

Finca La Melonera sits in the Serranía de Ronda, in the mountains of Málaga, an area with more than 3,000 years of vine-growing history. The estate works to recover native varieties on the edge of extinction, and Payoya Negra leads on Syrah with the local Tintilla de Rota and a share of Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards lie at altitude on limestone and slate soils, where strong sun ripens the fruit fully while cool mountain nights and a wide diurnal range preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, keeping a 15 per cent wine fresh rather than heavy. Syrah brings colour, pepper and dark fruit, Tintilla de Rota adds local character and acidity, and Cabernet lends structure. The wine ages 12 months in French Allier oak, a fine-grained wood that adds subtle spice and vanilla through slow oxygen exchange. The colour is deep purple-ruby. The nose shows blackberry, plum, black pepper, smoke and wild thyme. The palate is full, ripe and warm, with firm tannin balanced by mountain freshness and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled and roast red meats.