Zárate Caiño Tinto 2023

Zárate Caiño Tinto comes from Zárate, a winery making wine in the Salnés Valley of Rías Baixas since the eighteenth century, better known for Albariño but with a long line in the region's native reds. This is a varietal Caíño Tinto, a late-ripening Salnés grape that gives very fruity wines with high acidity. The fruit comes from a single old vineyard over 60 years old on granite soils. Granite is poor and free-draining, and in the cool, wet Atlantic climate of Rías Baixas it helps the late-ripening Caíño reach maturity while the maritime influence keeps the wine fresh and light in body. The grapes are hand-harvested with selection in the vineyard. The wine ages 12 months in used French oak barrels, where the seasoned wood softens the texture without adding oak flavour, leaving the fruit and acidity in front. It pours a bright, light red. The nose is red berry, redcurrant and cherry with black pepper, dried herbs and a stony, earthy edge. The palate is light-bodied and bracingly fresh, with fine tannin, sharp acidity and a tart, savoury finish at just 12.5 percent. Serve cool, at 13 to 15 degrees. Good with poultry, game birds and oily fish.