El Escoces Volante: Valdelabarga 2021

: Garnacha 85%, Bobal, Macabeo, diverse autochthone Reben

: rot, trocken; 14,0% Vol.; Trinkreife: 2026–2047

: fruchtbetont; pikant & würzig

: Lobenberg: 96–97/100; Parker: 94/100; Tim Atkin: 96/100; Suckling zu 2020: 95/100; Galloni: 94/100

: Spanien, Aragonien, Calatayud

: Allergene: Sulfite,

Abfüller / Importeur: El Escoces Volante, Barrio la Rosa Bajo 16, 50300 Zaragoza (Calatayud), SPANIEN

Nur gut 2000 Flaschen aus uralter Grenache mit etwas Bobal aus 650 Metern Höhe. Ertrag bei 15 hl/ha. Ganztraube, vergoren und ausgebaut im 500 Liter Stockinger Fass. Intensivem reiche Grenadine mit Rauch, Waldhimbeeren und etwas Cranberry in der Nase. Rauch kommt wieder, aber nicht verbrannt sondern charmant würzig. Der Mund ist ebenfalls rauchig vom Terroir, steinig, Kalkstein, Feuerstein. Darunter Grenadine, Himbeere, Erdbeere und wieder diese faszinierende Cranberry mit krautwürziger Unterlage. Extrem schicker und eigenständiger Wein voller Charme.

Der hocharomatische Ausnahme-Jahrgang 2021 begeistert in Spanien mit einer Frische, die ihresgleichen sucht. Nach sommerlichem Trockenstress brachte ein goldener, kühler Herbst den sensationellen Wendepunkt. Die dickschaligen Trauben liefern langlebige Weine voller Rasse, reifer Tannine und vibrierender Säure.

Zum Jahrgangsbericht

Parker über: Valdelabarga

The second vintage of this single-vineyard wine, the 2021 Valdelabarga Parcela Venta del Bravo was produced with the field blend of 85% to 90% Garnacha and the rest Bobal, Moristel, a little white Macabeo, etc., from a 1.2-hectare plot on very stony soils in the village of Torralba de Ribota that was possibly planted some 80 years ago (the register is from 1941). It fermented in open stainless steel tanks and matured in 500-liter Stockinger barrels that lend very little torrefaction to the wines. In 2021, there might have been more white grapes, and the wine has a paler color and feels fresher than the initial 2020 I tasted last time. It is still medium to full-bodied, with lower alcohol (14.2%) and fine tannins, and it is much more elegant, with more finesse and better freshness and acidity, or at least the sensation. 2,600 bottles were filled in April 2021.

Tim Atkin über: Valdelabarga

A muscular and structured wine with great energy from a single vineyard site of canto rodado, the result of glacial deposits in Armantes. This is a field blend of 85% Garnacha with 15% Moristel, Provechón (Bobal) and some white varieties. There’s a little whole bunch, 10% - 15%, adding some freshness and keeping the intense blackberry and blueberry fruit in check. 12 months in Stockinger softens the wine somewhat which also benefits from the cooler 2021 vintage. An exciting and complex wine, approachable now but should age well.

Suckling zu 2020 über: Valdelabarga

This is meaty and earthy with cherries, wild berries, some ashy undertones and hints of spices. Notes of walnuts, too. Full and structured, very polished and even on the palate with wide, encompassing tannins. More weighty and long. Mostly grenache, with provechon, bobal, macabeo and a little bit of white grapes. 50% whole bunch. Planted in 1943. 1.18 hectares. Drink or hold.

Galloni über: Valdelabarga

From Torralba de Ribota in Calatayud, the 2021 Valdelabarga blends Garnacha Tinta with about 15% other red and white varieties, aged largely in neutral 500-liter barrels. The nose features slightly candied red fruit with Mediterranean scrub, a savory broth-like nuance and hints of camphor and orange peel. The palate carries noticeable grip with firm tannins and moderate richness, finishing with a subtle stem-derived note.

Weingut über: Valdelabarga

The grapes were harvested into 20kg stored between 0 and 1 degrees in a cool room with controlled humidity. Fermented in an open top fermenter with 15% of whole bunches included in a layer cake fashion. Gentle punching down was applied once or twice a day only during a long , slow, soft fermentation after the grapes warm up from their cold soak. Afterwards we carried out a long maceration, malolactic fermentation took place on skins . After pressing the wine remained in 5 x 500 litre Stockinger barrels for 12 months before bottling with minimal fining and filtration. Valdelabarga is a glacial plain composed of boulders and cantos situated between la Sierra de Armantes and Virgen de la Sierra in the heart of the Sistema Ibérico in the municipality of Torralba de Ribota. According to local folklore, the parcel changed hands for the price of a bull – Venta del Bravo. The parcel dates from 1941 based on government records, but its mix of Garnacha Fina (approximately 85%) with a sprinkling of Provechon (Bobal), Macabeo and other minority varieties suggests an earlier planting date just after phylloxera ravaged Europe some 40 years before. Valdelabarga is an exceptional Lieu-dit with free draining soils with a capacity to always ripen and produce a Garnacha blend with ripe fruit and elegance.

Mein Winzer