El Cismático 2019

The 2019 El Cismático was produced with old-vine Garnacha from the villages of Villarroya de la Sierra and Cervera de la Cañada, four small vineyards planted exclusively with Garnacha, the same as in previous years. It fermented in open-top stainless steel vats with some 10% full clusters and was punched down by hand. The wine matured in second and third use 500-liter French oak barrels that had contained white wine before. It's aromatic and perfumed with notes of flowers and peaches and the chalky tannins from the limestone soils. This is powerful and elegant at the same time, concentrated, balanced and fresh, with good ripeness and no excess at 14.3% alcohol, low pH (3.34) and highish acidity. It has the tastiness and almost salty sensation in the finish. The oak feels better integrated than in previous years. It's a serious Garnacha that should develop nicely in bottle. 3,287 bottles were filled in March 2021.

Norrel Robertson MW’s study of the craggy bush vines becomes annually more exacting. This comes from four separate Garnacha plots, planted between 1937 and 1953, a terroir of glacial boulders and pebbles on red clay and limestone. Of his excellent portfolio this is the standout, bursting with oranges, roasted coffee, fine earth, wild herbs. A powerful expression of the wild landscape.