Vizcarra Garnacha 2022

Bodegas Vizcarra works in Mambrilla de Castrejon, a village in Burgos within striking distance of Ribera del Duero, though this Garnacha is bottled under the wider Castilla y Leon regional label. Jose Manuel Vizcarra planted here when few believed in the area, and the estate remains small and hands-on. Garnacha thrives on the poor, stony soils and the continental climate of the high northern meseta, where hot days and cold nights give a wide diurnal range. That swing ripens the fruit fully, building the ripe red berry character and warmth typical of the grape, while the cold nights preserve enough acidity to keep the wine fresh. The free draining soils limit vigour and concentrate the fruit. Ageing runs for fourteen months in French oak barrels, where the wood adds vanilla and spice and the slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins. At 14 percent the wine is generous but balanced. It shows a bright red. The nose leads with ripe red berries and plum over black pepper, liquorice and a herbal, oak-spiced edge. The palate is full and warm, with soft tannin, fresh acidity and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees.