Ygay? Okay!
New Vintage of Marques De Murrieta incoming
Marqués de Murrieta is one of the great pillars of classical Rioja—a titan of the region that’s responsible for some of the greatest wines ever produced in Spain. They resemble more polished, powerful versions of López de Heredia while sharing their age-worthiness. However they also offer a distinctly more fruit driven profile in their youth. Murrieta’s wines have always been favorites amongst critics and consumers alike.
Marques Murrieta Riserva Arriving June 10th:
Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, (That’s $24.83 per bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “Incredible depth and intensity on the nose with chocolate, walnut, blackberry and wet-earth aromas. Some iodine, too. All this follows through to a full body with very silky tannins that give the wine depth and length. It’s really framed beautifully. Reserved and tight at the finish. A terrific wine for the cellar. Give this three to five years to open.”
Decanter 94 points “A great classic, with a unique Rioja character, bursting with chewy red fruits, counterpointed by minerality. Reconciling power and finesse, pleasure and style. Warm and intense. Benchmark for wines of style, high-end brands. Leaves a vibrant memory.”
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2017 Rioja Reserva is their flagship wine, of which they produce 900,000 bottles exclusively from grapes from their 300 hectares of estate vineyards. It’s a blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha and has the character of the vintage, ripe and warm but without excess. The varieties fermented separately, even different plots fermented separately, and they also aged in barrel on their own. The blend is done at the end, after 20 months in American oak barrels. 2017 was a challenging year that they still consider a better vintage than 2018, as they see more concentration and power. The wine is quite lactic and creamy, still showing very young. It does feel undeveloped and in need of some time in bottle. The wine has concentration and clout, and I always consider it an ultimate example of an updated classical Reserva from Rioja. 2017 was the earliest harvest (started and finished in September), a warm and dry year when the Ygay estate miraculously escaped the terrible frost that decimated most of Europe. The challenge for this wine was to contain the ripeness and power, and they have done it. This will be released in spring 2021, so it should be a lot more integrated by then. This is always a sure value. Volumes are lower this year.”
Fabulous Foradori
“It was really a breath of fresh air tasting through the new releases. These are wines that communicate such purity and prestige from top to bottom. It’s easy to forget the amazing value to be found in their Teroldego” –Eric Guido, Vinous Media
Elisabetta Foradori’s wines occupy a singular place in the world of wine. She’s a Biodynamic and natural wine icon whose wines don’t taste Natural—just classic and pure. Likewise, her adventurous and questioning spirit has lead her down a number of different (now trendy) roads long before anyone else in her region, including the use of amphora, return to the traditional pergola trellis and emphasis on polycultural farming practices.
Foradori wines in stock now:
Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 94 points “A subtle yet complex red with blackberry, blueberry, mineral and black-tea aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, yet very polished and refined. Lightly chewy and very focused. All in balance. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.”
Foradori Fontanasanta Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($49.95) $47.50 special
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 95 points “Complex nose of toasted nuts and chocolate, but this is so much fresher than that sounds, thanks to the intense, wild-herb character that expands with aeration. Just a hint of funk. The stunning interplay of oxidative (mature) and reductive (fresh) character makes this so animating and fascinating. Very long, delicate finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $55 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 95 points “Skin fermentation has given this pinot grigio a rosé color, but also a lot of peach-skin, rose-petal and candied-orange character. Notes of wet earth and umami, which you normally associate with red wines, develops as it aerates in the glass. Then comes the surprisingly delicate, medium-bodied palate that is so fresh, the delicate tannins and rose-petal notes lifting the long, almost weightless finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Foradori Vigneto Sgarzon Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 94 points “This red has an extreme mountain-wine personality that’s expressed through a ton of wild-herb and cranberry aromas, crisp acidity and a tightly wound body. Somehow the generous and slightly sappy tannins neatly fold into the wine’s sleek profile. Long, crisp and mineral finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Foradori ‘Morei’ Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 97 points “Incredibly deep wild-berry nose that has just a whiff of funk, but this also gives the wine enormous energy. Sleek, but densely concentrated with a stunning interplay of fruit and fine tannin, the dangerously lively acidity whipping this into a mineral and herbal frenzy at the breathtaking, long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Foradori Granato Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 97 points “Enormously deep and subtle wild-blackberry aromas with a thousand herbal nuances lead you into this concentrated and beautifully proportioned red that is so delightful and fascinating. Very long finish that’s crisp and very mineral. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $85
The average price is $85
Sloshed in Schlossburg:
Domaine Weinbach’s Delightful Dry Whites
Looking for the meticulous quality of French wine but at German pricing? Check out Alsace, a region famous for her syncretism. Alsace features some of the most diverse soils in the wine world, ranging from fossilized limestone, granite, alluvial sand and even clay marl. Primarily growing white wines, the wines of Alsace are famous for their structure and texture.
The primary grapes of the area combine the winemaking traditions of Germany and France, with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer and Muscat being standouts as the “Grand Cru Grapes”. The latter two are widely considered to reach their magnum-opus in Alsace, offering years of development in the bottle and an expression unlike anywhere else in the world.
At the foot of the breathtaking Schlossburg hill lies Domaine Weinbach, producer of some of the most elegant wines in Alsace. Established as a Capuchin monastery in 1612, the Domaine was purchased in 1989 by the Faller brothers, who eventually left the property to Theo Faller, a pioneer who worked tirelessly to elevate Alsatian winemaking. Since 1998, Domaine Weinbach has tended their vines using biodynamic practices, and in 2010 attained Demeter certification. Vinification is a balancing act of minimal intervention and meticulous attention to detail. They begin by gently pressing their hand-picked fruit, then fermenting in ancient oak casks with native yeasts. The result is wines that are balanced, complex, and showcase the unique characteristics of each grape and terroir.
Domaine Weinbach wines in stock now:
Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Clos des Capucins Alsace 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “A light-bodied version, with snappy acidity creating a lively frame for the flavors of nectarine, Asian pear, rose petal and spicy mineral. A hint of almond shows on the juicy finish. Drink now. 300 cases imported. –AN”
The primary grapes of the area combine the winemaking traditions of Germany and France, with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer and Muscat being standouts as the “Grand Cru Grapes”. The latter two are widely considered to reach their magnum-opus in Alsace, offering years of development in the bottle and an expression unlike anywhere else in the world.
At the foot of the breathtaking Schlossburg hill lies Domaine Weinbach, producer of some of the most elegant wines in Alsace. Established as a Capuchin monastery in 1612, the Domaine was purchased in 1989 by the Faller brothers, who eventually left the property to Theo Faller, a pioneer who worked tirelessly to elevate Alsatian winemaking. Since 1998, Domaine Weinbach has tended their vines using biodynamic practices, and in 2010 attained Demeter certification. Vinification is a balancing act of minimal intervention and meticulous attention to detail. They begin by gently pressing their hand-picked fruit, then fermenting in ancient oak casks with native yeasts. The result is wines that are balanced, complex, and showcase the unique characteristics of each grape and terroir.
Domaine Weinbach wines in stock now:
Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Clos des Capucins Alsace 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “A light-bodied version, with snappy acidity creating a lively frame for the flavors of nectarine, Asian pear, rose petal and spicy mineral. A hint of almond shows on the juicy finish. Drink now. 300 cases imported. –AN”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Cuvee Sainte Catherine, Alsace 2019 750ML ($69.95) $45 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A compact version, creamy and light- to medium-bodied, with a spine of sleek acidity enlivening the finely knit flavors of apricot, green almond and star fruit. Hints of pink grapefruit zest and ground ginger play on the stony, mineral-driven finish. Drink now through 2019. 100 cases imported. –AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Theo, Alsace 2019 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “A lively, balanced Riesling, with ripe and snappy Honeycrisp apple, peach skin and honeysuckle notes and a mouthwatering, stone-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024. 150 cases imported. –AN”
Riesling Worthy of a Kaiser:
Weingut Prinz
Did you know that the Rheingau was once the face of Germany’s wine production? The topographic isolation provided by confluence of the Taunus Mountains and Rhine River creates an oasis for growing Riesling. The region’s wines were once priced higher than Burgundy, with Queen Victoria sparking a proclivity for German Riesling across the British Empire after a visit to the Rheingau in 1850. In contrast to other growing regions that feature a high percentage of slate, the Rheingau is characterized by high proportions of sandstone and quartzite, lending a crystallized pineapple, quince and yellow daffodil character to the finished wines.
Prinz was originally started as a “Garagiste” or home winemaker operation in 1991 as a hobby for the founder Fred Prinz. The critics were immediately enamored and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability and they reflect their origins perfectly”. With holdings in the Rheingau that are relatively high elevation they’re able to produce a full range of Riesling’s including the rarest style of them all: Eiswein.
Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the entire planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. During the extended hang time the grapes will freeze and thaw multiple times, further concentrating the sugars and acids. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing enough to be harvested as eiswein or simply eaten by passing birds and deer you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.
Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now:
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Eiswein Rheingau 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special
Prinz was originally started as a “Garagiste” or home winemaker operation in 1991 as a hobby for the founder Fred Prinz. The critics were immediately enamored and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability and they reflect their origins perfectly”. With holdings in the Rheingau that are relatively high elevation they’re able to produce a full range of Riesling’s including the rarest style of them all: Eiswein.
Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the entire planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. During the extended hang time the grapes will freeze and thaw multiple times, further concentrating the sugars and acids. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing enough to be harvested as eiswein or simply eaten by passing birds and deer you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.
Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now:
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Eiswein Rheingau 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Riesling Trocken Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
James Suckling 93 points “Still a bit closed, but this has serious depth and quite some weight for 12.5% alcohol. Complex mint, tarragon and candied-lime aromas, married to fine tannins and crisp acidity. Intense, but quite austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
James Suckling 93 points “Still a bit closed, but this has serious depth and quite some weight for 12.5% alcohol. Complex mint, tarragon and candied-lime aromas, married to fine tannins and crisp acidity. Intense, but quite austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Hendelberg Riesling Trocken Rheingau 2020 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
James Suckling 94 points “Quite funky nose that needs some air to open up, then ripe-quince, apricot and lilac notes develop. Excellent structure behind the ripeness and creaminess, the herbal and mineral notes cascading over the palate at the firm, dry finish. From organically grown grapes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
James Suckling 94 points “A stunning Kabinett that’s brimming with red apple, white peach and pomegranate. Very tense interplay of fruit, racy acidity and mountain-stream freshness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Spatlese Rheingau 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 97 points “Give yourself a holiday and forget all your cares! This super fine Spätlese has a stunning floral-honey, white-currant and dried-herb nose. Very succulent and concentrated with super bright acidity that interlocks beautifully. At the very mineral finish it’s almost dry. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Check out our 531 different German Rieslings available now including Dönnhoff, Mueller-Catoir and Molitor!
The Exponent of Épernay:
Charles Ellner Champagne
Considering the market dominance formerly held by the Grand Marques, there is much to be said about smaller negociants. Often combining their family’s holdings with purchased fruit from other vineyards, negociant champagne represents the juxtaposition of art and science that is assemblage. You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of this expertise than the Charles Ellner portfolio. Originally working as a riddler for other houses, Charles Ellner decided to hold back some of his family’s production for his own project, and the rest is history!
Charles Ellner’s origin as a passion project is clearly evident even to this day, with the estate fruit being grown organically and without synthetic inputs whatsoever. This commitment to quality does not stop in the vineyard however; the minimum time his Champagnes receive on the lees is double the required time. The resulting wines capture the beauty of autolysis and the freshness of a current vintage along with the juxtaposing toast, fruit and mineral character. Their Tête de cuvee is named Seduction and is aged for over 8 years on the lees prior to disgorgement, with the 2007 vintage encapsulating the acidity of a recent disgorgement against the maturity expected from a vintage from the late 2000’s.
Charles Ellner wines in stock now:
Charles Ellner Carte Blanche Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Importer note “This elegant and subtle blend offers an attractive freshness. On the palate, it is fruity and round with floral hints and citrus notes.”
Charles Ellner’s origin as a passion project is clearly evident even to this day, with the estate fruit being grown organically and without synthetic inputs whatsoever. This commitment to quality does not stop in the vineyard however; the minimum time his Champagnes receive on the lees is double the required time. The resulting wines capture the beauty of autolysis and the freshness of a current vintage along with the juxtaposing toast, fruit and mineral character. Their Tête de cuvee is named Seduction and is aged for over 8 years on the lees prior to disgorgement, with the 2007 vintage encapsulating the acidity of a recent disgorgement against the maturity expected from a vintage from the late 2000’s.
Charles Ellner wines in stock now:
Charles Ellner Carte Blanche Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Importer note “This elegant and subtle blend offers an attractive freshness. On the palate, it is fruity and round with floral hints and citrus notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Charles Ellner Brut Rose Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 16 half bottles in stock now
Charles Ellner Brut Rose Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Soft pink: an invitation to the eyes, strong on the nose with hints of strawberry, this champagne offers intensive fruity aromas. The chardonnay that represents half of the blend gives freshness, but also longevity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027. — AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Amazing Abruzzo:
New Vintage of Emidio Pepe arriving this summer
Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe. Both deliver world-class bottlings, but we’re focusing on the latter today. Pepe’s wines are known for their unique blend of rusticity, power and just enough polish to highlight their remarkable vibrancy and complexity. The Trebbiano is made from old selections of Trebbiano Abruzzese—a rare clonal selection that provides wines of depth and complexity rarely found in this neck of the woods. It’s hard for us to acquire these wines and we’re excited to feature them again today.
Emidio Pepe arriving September 2022:
Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Italy 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Emidio Pepe arriving September 2022:
Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Italy 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner:
Daniel Landi
When discussing the Grenache Revolution in Spain, you have to mention the work of Daniel Landi. One of the two founders of the cult label “Commando G” he has built his career around elevating Grenache to new heights. Originally hailing from Méntrida, a rural village in the Castille-La-Mancha Daniel Landi has been surrounded by Grenache practically from birth. With en masse wine production dating back to the 15th century, there are vineyards everywhere you look.
The historical prevalence of viticulture extends into the Sierra de Gredos Mountains, where Daniel sources his best fruit. Planted amongst the granite boulders and scrub vegetation, vines are 50 years old at the youngest and farmed biodynamically. The mineral rich soil, high elevation and extensive root networks make irrigation unnecessary and for one of the most compelling iterations of Grenache you’ll ever find. With the exception of his entry level cuvee, every wine that Daniel Landi makes is a single-vineyard expression to highlight the nuance of each parcel.
Daniel Landi wines in stock now:
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Las Uvas de la Ira’ Garnacha Mentrida 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2018 Las Uvas de la Ira has been produced with Garnacha from the same five vineyards since the initial vintage (2012) in the village of El Real de San Vicente, which is one of the villages from Méntrida (Toledo) that are part of the Gredos Mountains. The vines range between 40 and 65 years of age, and they are located at around 750 meters in altitude on sandy granite soils with lots of silt. The different vineyards are fermented separately in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a very gentle vinification, one-third with very long macerations to provide structure and depth, one-third with a very short maceration to provide fragrance, and the remaining third finished the fermentation without skins (like a white) to add juiciness. The élevage is in oak foudres of different sizes, from 1,500 to 4,000 liters. This is a little less aromatic and more austere but very focused and bright, from a village where the wines are serious and have a chalky texture, less floral but more citrus, a bit more backward. It has a compact palate, with very fine tannins and a more chalky finish. It’s interesting to taste it next to wines from other villages, as you clearly see the difference. 18,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2019.”
The historical prevalence of viticulture extends into the Sierra de Gredos Mountains, where Daniel sources his best fruit. Planted amongst the granite boulders and scrub vegetation, vines are 50 years old at the youngest and farmed biodynamically. The mineral rich soil, high elevation and extensive root networks make irrigation unnecessary and for one of the most compelling iterations of Grenache you’ll ever find. With the exception of his entry level cuvee, every wine that Daniel Landi makes is a single-vineyard expression to highlight the nuance of each parcel.
Daniel Landi wines in stock now:
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Las Uvas de la Ira’ Garnacha Mentrida 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2018 Las Uvas de la Ira has been produced with Garnacha from the same five vineyards since the initial vintage (2012) in the village of El Real de San Vicente, which is one of the villages from Méntrida (Toledo) that are part of the Gredos Mountains. The vines range between 40 and 65 years of age, and they are located at around 750 meters in altitude on sandy granite soils with lots of silt. The different vineyards are fermented separately in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a very gentle vinification, one-third with very long macerations to provide structure and depth, one-third with a very short maceration to provide fragrance, and the remaining third finished the fermentation without skins (like a white) to add juiciness. The élevage is in oak foudres of different sizes, from 1,500 to 4,000 liters. This is a little less aromatic and more austere but very focused and bright, from a village where the wines are serious and have a chalky texture, less floral but more citrus, a bit more backward. It has a compact palate, with very fine tannins and a more chalky finish. It’s interesting to taste it next to wines from other villages, as you clearly see the difference. 18,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Cantos del Diablo’ Mentrida 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The single-vineyard 2017 Cantos del Diablo was produced with the grapes from 0.35 hectares in the village of El Real de San Vicente (Toledo), the highest vineyard in the Méntrida appellation. It’s a north-facing plot at 900 meters in altitude that was planted some 70 years ago on sandy granite soils rich in silt and is worked biodynamically. The grapes, with all the stems, fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats, and the wine matured in a 1,200-liter oak foudre for 12 months. This was one of the few villages from Gredos that escaped the hail and frost, and it was a dry year, so harvesting was early (10 to 15 days earlier compared with a “normal” vintage!). It’s aromatic and floral but has the austerity of the wines from El Real de San Vicente as well as a texture like liquid chalk and very fine, powdery tannins. It’s clean and ripe without excess, with a nice combination of fruit and minerality, really balanced, with intensity and finesse. Excellent 2017! 1,362 bottles were filled in March 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Cantos del Diablo’ Mentrida 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The single-vineyard 2018 Cantos del Diablo was produced with the grapes from 0.35 hectares of 70-year-old Garnacha in the village of El Real de San Vicente (Toledo) at 900 meters in altitude, the highest vineyard in the Méntrida appellation. It’s a north-facing plot on sandy granite soils with lots of silt that deliver chalky tannins and a citrus freshness in the wine. The whole clusters fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats with a long maceration followed by an élevage in a 1,400-liter oak foudre for 12 months. This was extremely closed, even after a long time in the glass. It’s a vineyard that delivers more reductive wines (matchstick) with a strict palate and a strong mineral sensation. 1,620 bottles were filled in March 2020.”