El Sequé 2020

El Sequé 2020 is a Monastrell-led red wine from the highlands of Pinoso that doesn't unleash its Mediterranean power unchecked. A light reduction keeps it bright and lively without losing its dark spice. 14.5% vol., dry.

The vines stand in four zones around Pinoso, on the western edge of DO Alicante, at 600 to 650 metres above sea level. Daytime temperatures climb above 40 °C, while nights fall below 15 °C: this swing of up to 25 degrees preserves acidity and aromatics. The soils are sandy loams over limestone bedrock, low in clay and organic matter.

The base is Monastrell, the indigenous variety of the western Mediterranean, here from bush vines 50 to 65 years old; complemented by Syrah. The oldest vines date from the late 1950s and are ungrafted (pie franco), since phylloxera cannot take hold in sand. Hand-picked and sorted, cold-macerated for 24 to 48 hours, fermented in open stainless steel tanks with punch-downs twice a day, then aged for twelve months in 500-litre French oak barrels.

On the nose, morello cherry, plum and abundant raspberry, with pepper, cardamom and juniper behind, restrained notes of oregano and rosemary. On the palate the fruit gathers juicy and taut, meaty without being bulky, with cool accents despite the warm climate. The finish carries white pepper, anise, liquorice and, more distinctly still, artichoke and fennel.

Tomato and beetroot gazpacho, ratatouille with fragrant rice and fresh cheese or flank steak with green beans and papas arrugadas with mojo verde.

Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, head of the Rioja estate Artadi, founded El Sequé in 1999 together with local Monastrell expert Agapito Rico; the cellar team is led by winemaker Vicente Milla. In 2017, Wine-Searcher named El Sequé 2014 the "World's Best Value Wine".