Ternario 10 2018

Ternario 10 is a single-variety Garnacha Tintorera from D.O. Almansa, made by Venta La Vega in the east of Castilla-La Mancha. Garnacha Tintorera, also known as Alicante Bouschet, is unusual among red grapes for its coloured pulp, which produces wines of intense, striking colour and dark fruit. Long out of favour, it has been recovered by a handful of wineries that value its depth and structure. Almansa has a continental climate of hot, dry summers and cold nights, and the wide diurnal range lets the grapes ripen fully while keeping their acidity, while the poor soils and altitude restrict yields and concentrate the fruit. The wine is aged eleven months in foudres, large oak casks whose low ratio of wood surface to wine volume allows a gentle oxygen exchange that softens the tannins without imparting strong oak flavour, keeping the focus on the fruit. It is very deeply coloured, with dark plum and berry fruit, black pepper and liquorice, and an earthy, mineral undertone. The palate is full bodied, with firm ripe tannin and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted, with grilled and roasted red meats. It rewards hearty, flavourful food.