Valdechuecas 2021. Viñedo Singular
The roots of centuries-old vines contain the essence of Rioja’s freshest Garnacha.
Vineyard
Located in Cárdenas, at an altitude of between 595 and 620 meters, on ferrous clay soil with conglomerate rock. It is a north-facing slope with a gradient of around 20%. In the upper part it forms terraces following the contour lines to avoid erosion. It is a plot of 0.8747 hectares with around 4,000 old vines. One part was planted in 1912 and is a 1.60 x 1.60 old planting frame. The rest
of the plot, planted in 1918, is a 2m x 1.40m rectangle French-style frame.
Harvest
Manual harvest on Manual harvest on October 14.
Winemaking
Fermentation takes place in a 5,000-liter concrete tank, enough for the entire production of the vineyard. Vatting takes place by gravity: 15% of the whole bunches with stems are placed in the bottom, and later the tank is filled with destemmed grapes but without crushing, preserving the integrity of the grape. Fermentation is spontaneous with the vineyard’s own yeasts and maceration with the skins during this process lasts a total of 15 days.
Varieties
Mainly Garnacha Tinta, although in the vineyard there are occasional vines of Tempranillo, Viura, Malvasía, Graciano,
Mazuelo and some unknown varieties.
Alcohol content:
14% ABV.
Tasting notes
Visual
An intense red color, characteristic of the Garnacha variety in cold areas, Great depth of color, the result of the natural concentration typical of old vines. Clean, bright and with a very slightly evolved rim from aging.
Nose
Very complex and deep, the result of partial elaboration with whole bunches in concrete tanks, which provides certain vegetable tones (grape stalk) and red and black fruit compote. Spices and minerality stand out, with wood always very well integrated, after having remained in the foudre for 12 months. This type of aging increases the complexity on the nose, generating notes with a certain reduced character, which evolve in the glass to fresh fruit and balsamic tones.
Palate
In the mouth it shows great verticality, due to the strong tension of its acidity, the hallmark of its area of origin: the Alto Najerilla. A wine of great depth, with a tannic backbone of outstanding refinement and persistence, although with the markedly amiable character of the Garnacha variety. Undoubtedly, a wine with great aging potential, with many aspects to be discovered over time.
95 points
Tim Atkin MW. Rioja Report 2024. 2021 vintage.
95 points
Tim Atkin MW. Rioja Report 2023. 2020 vintage.
95 points
Tim Atkin MW. Rioja Report 2022. 2019 vintage.
95 points
Decanter. Rioja Guide 2023. 2019 vintage.
93 points
Guía Peñín 2021. 2019 vintage.