Viña Almate 2023

Vina Almate is made by Alfredo Maestro in Penafiel, in Valladolid, and bottled as a Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon. Maestro is a low-intervention grower who turned away from conventional winemaking, dropping the sulphur, fining and other additions he once used in order to render the terroir as faithfully as he can. This young Tempranillo is farmed and made naturally, with native yeasts, little or no added sulphur and no oak, so nothing stands between the grape and the glass. The vines sit on the sandy, limestone-influenced soils of the high Duero plateau, where cold nights under a continental climate preserve acidity and keep the fruit fresh and aromatic. Without barrel ageing the wine stays bright and primary, its tannin soft and its character driven by fruit and place rather than wood. It is light ruby with a nose of red cherry, raspberry and plum over crushed herbs, pepper and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is light to medium, fresh and unforced, with gentle tannin and a clean finish. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees, lightly chilled. It suits charcuterie, grilled pork and tomato-based dishes.