Pela Roques 2021

Mustiguillo farms inland from the Valencian coast, on high limestone ground where Pela Roques comes from organically grown Syrah. The vines sit on rocky calcareous soils that drain freely and limit yields, which concentrates the fruit and gives the wine its mineral, stony character. The altitude tempers the warm Mediterranean climate, and the wide swing between hot days and cool nights preserves the natural acidity and the peppery, savoury aromatics that mark cooler-grown Syrah. Rather than small barrels, the wine ferments and ages around eight months in large wooden vats of eighty to two hundred and twenty hectolitres, where the low ratio of wood surface to wine allows gentle oxygen exchange to soften the tannins while keeping the fruit fresh and free of heavy oak flavour. The 2021 vintage gives a balanced, savoury red. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark plum, black cherry and crushed black pepper over wood smoke, liquorice, thyme and a stony, mineral note. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 16 degrees. It suits grilled red meats and game.