Bodegas Protos, Clarete, Cigales, Castilla y Léon, 2020

Following a wider trend among Spanish producers, Protos launched their Clarete, which now sits in their range alongside their lighter pink, Aire de Protos. While technically not a traditional Spanish Clarete as it is not produced by co-fermenting red and white grapes, this wine certainly evokes the style’s intensity and structure. A Tempranillo-based blend with a dash of Syrah and Merlot, it has an intense nose of ripe red fruits touched by a savoury note. The palate is firm, lean, and fruit-forward with lingering aromas of strawberry jam, redcurrant and candied cherry.