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91POINTS
16¾/20
Envínate Albahra 2017
Castilla-La Mancha, SpainEnvínate (aka wine-yourself) is the brainchild of Laura Ramos, Jose Martínez, Roberto Santana and Alfonso Torrente, four friends who met while studying oenology at the University of Miguel Hernández in Alicante. Their work is focused on exploring the ancient, Atlantic-infused terruños of Ribeira Sacra, Canary Islands, Extremadura and Almansa. Their philosophy is simple: let each single parcel express itself through low-intervention farming and winemaking. Albahra is Castilian for small sea, and named for the vineyard area in the Alamansa region, tucked into the southeastern corner of Castilla-La Mancha, bordering the neighbour appellations of Jumilla and Yecla. This blends 70% Garnacha Tintorera (aka the teinturier Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Moravia Agria (a local grape with only 50ha remaining), with grapes sourced from 25 year old vines rooted at 800m on chalky clay soils. This was 40% whole bunch fermented in large concrete tanks, where it remained for 8 months prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered. Pouring a paler, cloudy hue, this opens with waves of reduction leading to dusky plum, medicinal-kissed cherry, wild raspberry, and ample scrubby herbs. The medium bodied palate is nervy with acidity, and pinned with grippy / sticky tannins, guiding this to a saline finish. An alluring, intriguing wine, best taken with a slight chill, and possibly a platter of choice charcuterie.Tasted: 07 December 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
Blend: Garnacha Tintorera - Moravia Agria
