We head north to Somontano, the Denominación de Origen and county in the province of Huesca, Aragón, some 100km north east of Zaragoza.

The name is thought to have Latin roots meaning “beneath the mountain”, so you get an idea what to expect: the area spreads out from the foothills of the Pyrenees in the north down to the Ebro valley in the south. The overall climate is continental, but the mountain range has a profound effect on the local weather.

The mix of temperature and altitude makes Somontano wines well balanced, between fruit flavours, alcohol content and acidity. Unlike much of Aragón (and indeed much of inland Spain), Somontano is greener, thanks to higher rainfall (500mm on average each year).

Eight red (and seven white) grape varieties are authorised by the D.O. from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to Pinto Noir, suggesting a very varied terroir and climate.

Llanto de Uva comes from Bodega Sommos, famous for its wines and avant-guard futuristic architecture designed to exploit gravity to move the grapes through the wine making process without the conventional use of pumps.

Llanto de Uva is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempanillo. The wines are fermented and aged separately for 12 months in used French-oak barrels before making the final mix.

The colour is intense ruby red with violet hues. The nose is complex with aromas of autumn: nuts and dried fruits and leaves. The used barrels impart gentle hints of cinnamon and tobacco. In the mouth it is very smooth, with refined and rounded tannins that fill the palate. Very pleasant sensations that last over time.

Balanced with each grape variety of the blend showing off its advantages: the Cabernet Sauvignon robustness, tannins and lots of blackcurrant, the Syrah smoothness and seductive ‘jammy-ness’ while the Tempanillo adds lively lightness and acidity. Excellent value for money.

Try with, well, roasted chestnuts

88-90 Bruja points. EUR 4.50 from Mercadona

(Feature: Wine)