Suertes del Marqués La Floridita 2021

Suertes del Marqués farms century-old ungrafted vines in the Valle de la Orotava on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The vines survived phylloxera and are trained on the distinctive Cordón Trenzado, where long plaited canes run along the volcanic slope. The dark volcanic soils drain freely and the Atlantic moderates the heat, with cool nights preserving acidity and giving the wine its mineral, saline character. La Floridita blends the indigenous Listán negro and Listán blanco, hand harvested and then aged for around three months in French oak foudres. Large old wood adds texture and a slow oxygen exchange without lending obvious oak flavour, so the fruit stays in front. The colour is pale pink. The nose shows ripe strawberry and cherry with white peach and a herbal, stony edge. The palate is dry and fresh, with red fruit, citrus peel and a savoury volcanic grip running to a saline finish. Serve chilled at 9 to 11 degrees. It suits grilled fish, roast chicken, and Canarian wrinkled potatoes with mojo.