Vallegarcía Syrah 2023

Pago de Vallegarcia is an estate winery in VT Castilla and a member of the Grandes Pagos de Espana association, making this Syrah from seven hectares of its own vineyards. The wine begins with a pre-fermentative maceration held at 10C for three days, a cold soak that extracts colour and aroma from the skins before fermentation starts. It is then fermented and macerated for a total of 21 days, with regular pump-overs to draw tannin, colour and flavour from the skins into the wine, building the structure that lets it age. The central plateau's warm, sunny days ripen the Syrah fully to 15% alcohol, while the elevation tempers the nights and holds acidity. Ageing lasts 12 months in French oak, which softens the tannins and adds spice and a savoury depth through slow oxygen exchange. The colour is deep and near opaque, and the nose is rich, with ripe plum and black cherry lifted by black pepper, dark chocolate, smoke and liquorice. The palate is full and warm, with concentrated dark fruit, firm ripe tannins and a long spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18C, decanted, with grilled red meat, roast lamb or game.