Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tortolas Tinto 2012

The Arroyo del Trtolas is a north facing, 1.2-hectare vineyard of 65-year-old vines at 800 m.a.s.l. The soil here is pure granitic sand. This plot is one of the first of Bernabeleva’s vineyards to ripen, yet the shifting geology and the steepness of the site results in two separate harvests (top and bottom). The grapes are foot stomped and left to ferment naturally in upright wooden vats, with the percentage of stems dependent on the vintage. The yields are naturally very low, with each vine producing roughly two bottles of wine. Maturation takes place for 12 months in 500 and 600 litre barrels. Outstanding purity and grace here and a long, mineral-laden finish.