Pablo Matallana, La Bardona Viñas del Norte Vino Tinto 2023 (750ml)

100% Listán Negro from a small set of plots in northern Tenerife, mostly from La Orotava. The vines are around 500m elevation and roughly 100 years old. The grapes were harvested by hand and left whole cluster, then foot trodden. The juice macerated on the skins and stems for 5 days, all in stainless steel, then fermented and rested in the same vessels. Bottled without fining or filtering, and with only a small addition of SO2. A crunchy red with juicy crushed cherries, peppery, floral with a dash of the Canary Islands' signature smokiness and volcanic minerality. Unique but still approachable. Get a chill on the wine and pair with grilled seafood, beef skewers and a summer salad.