2022 El Enhebro Tinto (Valencia)

‘Enhebro’ is a Spanish play on words, a fusion of ‘enebro’ (which is juniper, and which grows in abundance around the vineyards where this wine comes from) and ‘enhebrar’, (‘to thread’). Hence the label showing a juniper bush being threaded through a needle… The Spanish cooperative La Vina are based between Valencia and Alicante at the head of the Vall dels Alforins, and what they believe they are threading together is their terroir, their native grape varieties and the cultural wealth passed down by generations of winemakers all together with the modern world. This red is a blend of Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) with Garnacha Tintorera (aka Alicante Bouschet, a teinturier variety prized for the deep colour it can bring to wines.) It hasn’t been overextracted, and it’s all the better for it, this is light, uncomplicated and joyful. It offers juicy dark fruit and raspberry jam aromas, with a peppery, lifted structure and a touch of the local juniper on the finish. Very appealing and very easy to finish. (NT 13/05/24)