La Bruja de Rozas 2015

The areas around Spain's capital city, Madrid, are not known for quality wine production. It's hot here, the summer days oppressively so. To the south-east of the city lies La Mancha, the home of Don Quixote and the largest wine region in the world, producing massive amounts of bulk wine often turned into brandy. But when the land rises above the plateau to altitudes of up to 850m, things become more interesting - and there are a handful of producers determined to work with the difficult conditions to make quality wine.

Comando G are one such producer, working to the west of Madrid in the Sierra de Gredos mountain range which lie in between Madrid and the history university town of Salamanca. Only established ten years ago, they farm almost exclusively Garnacha, a grape planted across central Spain traditionally for simple, local wines. Especially in these hot conditions, it produces full-bodied, high-alcohol wines that need the high altitude to tame them.

Comando G make a series of single-vineyard wines, as well as this 100% Garnacha blend. It shows that on its own Garnacha doesn't have to be big and rustic. Instead, there's a perfumed delicacy to the nose with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, roses, and herbs. Garnacha can lack tannin and acidity, but the high altitude (850m) gives the wine a freshness and a firm grip that also comes from extended maceration. An attractive, easy-drinking wine that also has a great label.

Price: $20

Vintage: 2015

Grape Variety: Garnacha

Region: Vinos de Madrid

Alcohol: 14.5%

Ageing: 9 months in large oak vats after a long maceration

Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Drink: now-2020

Food pairing: lamb; chicken; salmon; pasta