Martúe "Pago Campo de la Guardia" '18

Martúe is one of the most exciting wineries to have emerged from the up-and-coming wine region of Castilla–La Mancha in central Spain, producing high-quality wines at accessible prices for everyday drinking. Martúe was the dream of Fausto Gonzalez, who planted vines in 1990 near La Guardia de Toledo, just southeast of the city of Toledo. In 2009 the estate earned the prestigious  and rare designation of DO Pago Campo de La Guardia because of its location in a special enclave with complex soils, at an elevation of 850, at the convergence of two tectonic plates near the Tagus river in central Spain.

Martúe is a blend of estate-grown grapes, including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot. Farming is sustainable, and the wines are made without any additions. Each of the grape varieties is harvested separately at night, and as quickly as possible. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation occurs with native yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Once the wines have completed malolactic fermentation, the wine is blended and goes into 50% new and 50% used French barrels (1–3 years old) from different cooperages for ten months. In the glass you’ll find aromas of dark plum, blackberry, cedar, and a hint of leather. On the palate the wine shows ripe dark fruit, medium-plus tannins, and excellent structure. It’s rich and round with a long finish, and it would shine with a variety of dishes. A perfect wine to pair with a grilled rib-eye steak.