Samaruco 2022

Samaruco comes from Bodegas Luis Pérez, the winery Luis Pérez founded in 2002 to revive red wine in the lands of Jerez. The fruit grows at Hacienda Vistahermosa on the high ground of Pago del Corchuelo, planted to Petit Verdot and Syrah. The defining feature here is albariza, the white chalky soil of the Jerez region, which reflects sunlight, retains moisture deep down and lets these late ripening varieties reach full maturity while keeping freshness. The warm Andalusian climate drives the ripeness and the 15 percent alcohol, and the proximity to the Atlantic moderates the heat. The wine is aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, which adds spice and fine tannin and allows slow oxygen exchange that softens the structure. The colour is deep, near opaque purple. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum with black pepper, violet and a savoury, smoky edge from the Syrah. The palate is full bodied and warming, with ripe tannin, dark fruit and a long, peppery finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It is built for red meat and slow cooked dishes.