Gregorio Martinez, Rioja Tinto ‘Finca’ Tempranillo 2014

£17.50 (75cl)

In stock

SKU: SRIMA0414B

About the wine

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Description

100% Tempranillo sourced from “La Dehesilla” parcel, at 700m altitude, north-facing. Vines planted in 1980. Destalking occurs before pre-fermentation cold maceration for 7-9 days in stainless steel vats without sulphur and with natural carbon dioxide. Fermented with indigenous yeast; part of the wine is then bled off directly into barrel, the rest being left on the skins until the end of the malolactic fermentation. After pressing the wine is aged in barrel for 12 months, a part of which remains on the lees. It is then aged for a further 4 months in tank prior to bottling.

Tasting note

Intense cherry red hue with purple rim. On the nose there is a mixture of red and black fruit overlying a base of blue flowers (lilac) and subtle balsamic hints. With oxygenation earthy notes appear which bring out yet more the floral and black fruit aromas. It is a fun wine, both fresh and ripe at the same time. In the mouth it is broad with silky tannins where the fruit (both red and black berry) and the freshness, together with the balsamic flavours make it very long in the mouth with a very agreeable aftertaste.

About the producer

The current winery was constructed in time for the 2001 vintage, with grapes sourced from a 120 hectare estate, 40 hectares of which are under vine. The vineyards are located in the Iregua Valley, between the villages of Nalda, Sorzano and Entrena. Formerly meadows, the magnificent centenary oaks that can be found in the gardens are testament to the microclimate found here, close to the mountain ranges of Moncalvillo and Camero. The soils here are deep and consist predominantly of thick red clay and sedimentary sand, pebbles and sedimentary rock. The founder of the project was Gregorio Martínez, who started to purchase land around Sorzano, his wife’s hometown, in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s.

Currently managed by his descendants, the project changed dramatically following the appointment of head winemaker Ricardo Cantera back in 2009. Recently, they have embarked on making a new range, Finca Gregorio Martínez; which consists of fresh reds and whites as Ricardo likes to work with very low quantities of sulphites. At 700m of altitude and north-oriented, the vineyard suffers under extreme climate conditions. Harvest never starts before the second week of October and in some years it may not finish until November. All grapes are hand-harvested into small crates of 15kg. With up to five different clones grown on the estate, Tempranillo is the dominant grape while Mazuelo (Carignan) and Viura cover around two hectares each. A recently introduced range – Finca Gregorio Martínez includes a clean, vibrant white Viura; a vibrant, pale-coloured rosé made from Tempranillo and a Mazuelo aged in oak for 8 months plus two single-varietal reds crafted from Tempranillo and Mazuelo respectively. Rather unusually the malolactic fermentation takes place in the same tank with skins, resulting in wines that exude a natural freshness, expressing notes of wild herb. It is, in any case, quite a challenge to grow successfully late ripening varieties like Mazuelo in such a cool area.



Robert Parker Wine Advocate (robertparker.com):

The 2014 Finca Tempranillo was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1980 and 1985 on cool, deep clay, sand and limestone soils, fermented with natural yeasts and matured in new and used French barriques for 12 months. It's balsamic and spicy, with an open and expressive nose with ripe fruit and very nicely integrated oak. There is something earthy too. The palate is juicy and approachable, with fine tannins and good freshness. Not terribly complex but really pleasant. 20,000 bottles produced. (Luis Gutiérrez) Points: 90. Issue Date: 28/02/2018

Decanter Magazine (decanter.com):

Lively sweet fruit, cedar and minty freshness. (Blind tasted by Sarah Jane Evans MW, Simon Field MW, Pierre Mansour) Points: 85. Date Tasted: 28/11/2019

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