Our selection

David Sampedro and his wife, Melanie Hickman own and run this 9.5 ha biodynamic estate around the village of Elvillar in the Rioja Alavesa where limestone soils meander through three valleys that run between the Sierra Cantabria mountains and the River Ebro. The philosophy is based on a modern approach promoting respect for the environment with a partially subterranean built ‘‘off the grid’’ winery powered by solar panels, and ambitious natural wine making that follows the lunar calendar. Ageing takes place for the top wines in French oak 500 and 600 litre casks. The resulting wines are enticing, dense, deep, and elegant. They also exploit some small plots of old Rufete vines in the mountainous region of Salamanca, where the soils are composed of granite and slate.

This cuvée is a side project to showcase the potential of specific vineyard sites from one of the smallest appellation of Castilla Y Leon. The profile will appeal to Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo wine lovers. Located in the south of the Castilla Y Leon region, the Salamanca terroirs are composed of slate and granite. They range from 400m to 900m in the mountainous region of Sierra de Francia and Sierra de Quilamas. The acidic slate soils behave very differently than the clay soils in Rioja which are slightly alkaline and have better water retention properties.
100% old Rufete vines. Hand harvested in small crate, the grapes are destemmed by hand directly over the top of an open top oak vat. Grapes are foot-trodden to naturally start the fermentation with indigenous yeasts which will last about 15 days. The wine is matured for 30 months in neutral (old) French oak barrels where it spends at least two winters in order to undergo malolactic fermentation.

The nose is delicate and displays scents of fresh red and dark berries, allspice and candied rose, plus a mineral flourish that emerges slowly. Silky, expansive raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors show fine definition, real energy and no rough edges. This cuvée shows sharp focus and strong intensity on the long, penetrating finish, which features even tannins and a subtle lavender note. A wine for Bourgogne and Nebbiolo lovers.

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