Taberner 2019

Taberner comes from Huerta de Albala at Arcos de la Frontera in V.T. Cadiz, southern Andalusia. The estate lies between the Bornos reservoir and the Sierra de Grazalema, a setting that brings an unusually high annual rainfall of around 900mm and a strong day-to-night temperature contrast, rare for the far south of Spain. That diurnal swing is what allows the Syrah, with a little Merlot and Cabernet, to ripen fully while keeping freshness and aromatic lift. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented at controlled temperature, then taken through malolactic fermentation, which converts the sharper malic acid to softer lactic acid and rounds the texture. The wine ages eighteen months in French oak, a long maturation in which slow oxygen exchange builds tannin structure and adds smoke, toast and spice. The colour is deep, near-opaque purple. The nose shows ripe plum and red fruit, black pepper, balsamic herbs, smoke and toasted oak, with the carob note the producer describes. The palate is full bodied and warm at 15.5% alcohol, with firm tannins, ripe fruit and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 to 18C, decanted, with grilled red meat or game.