Mayford 2023 Tempranillo

An outstanding Tempranillo release. Powerful, layered, dark and complex- in the classic Mayford style.

Released November 2024

Another mild and European style of season produced elegant, aromatic and structural Tempranillo with enormous aging potential. The 2023 harvest was the third in a cool cycle and the crop enjoyed the benefits of long, slow ripening without extreme temperatures.

Tempranillo was hand-picked in ten small parcels over the last 12 days of March. Each separate batch was chilled and cold soaked prior to natural ferment in open pots with extensive hand plunging. Some batches had a percentage of stalk and whole bunch inclusion and others, extended post ferment-maceration. Ten ferments, five clones.

Each wine was then basket pressed before being put to barrel for maturation in French barriques (25% new) for eleven months, retaining malo lees for texture and complexity before blending and filtration.

Beautifully fragrant with dark forest fruits, black cherry, coffee-cola, violets, musk and charry charcuterie notes. The palate is brooding and expressive with black fruits, crushed herb and an earthy savouriness. Excellent weight and depth are rippled with firm, velvety tannins.  Highly age-worthy.  Youthful but already delicious.

Drink 2025-2038.

Bottled February 2024

Bottled under screwcap.