“My 82 year old granny lives here,” says dark haired Juan Andres Marichal, pointing to a simple, one story house near the tiny family winery. “Many years ago she would cook three meals a day for the workers.”
I peek into the old kitchen, which is now used as a barrel room, and see that the family set up a tiny museum with old pots and pans. The winery itself is small too … in the old days, the family would sell the grapes, yet in 1938. Juan’s ancestors came here from the Canary Islands Spain a few centuries ago as was the case of many families here.
Despite its small size the family produces 8000 cases a year and expots 70% to mostly Brazil and Germany. Juan is an enologist and is doing a lot of experimentation in the vineyard, such as planting a grass called festuca which absorbs water from the ground faster than the vines.
The ocean is just 25 kilometers away, so there is a lot of cool breezes at night which helps the grapes achieve balance.
Chardonnay 2011 (unoaked)
Straw with lemon highlights – delicious aroma from two weeks on the lees after fermentation . On the palate, very rich with ripe concentrated yellow-fleshed fruit, and tangy with crisp refreshing acidity. A ‘naked wine’ without oak or malolactic yet still rich and a fabulous food wine as well. Chardonnay is planted on top of small hill with excellent drainage (clay and calcareous) …
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Blend 2007 (light rose)
Slight transparent rose petal pink color, tangy nose, on the palate extremely high acidity and minerality.
Pinot Noir / Tannat 2010 (70 PN / 30 Tannat)
Dark concentrated ruby color, fresh ripe fruit flavor
Very full bodied wine with lots of ripe fresh fruit, chewy tannins. Good with meat.
Tannat 2010
Attractive ruby color, nose of rich ripe red fruit such as red currants, and a fruit flavor on the palate of cranberries and loganberries. Soft tannins and racy acidity. It is made with 5 days cold maceration (no dissolution of tannins in must) get the color but not too much tannins. Then separate skins to get the fruit. This creates a less structured, less tannic wine made without barrels that can be enjoyed within six months.
Tannat 2009
After 1 year blend the two different types – 70% with oak, 30% stainless steel.
Deep ruby color, juicy fruit on the nose, and on the palate a nicely structured wine with elegance and refinement from the oak maturation. Some spice. Well behaved. Can drink alone or pair with food.
Tannat A 2008
In oak for 18 months and bottle for two years – it is only made in the best vintages,
Deep concentrated ruby/garnet color, aroma of deep ripe cherries … on the palate a velvet richness from the oak aging (both French and American oak). One can enjoy it as one would a fine Bordeaux, as this wine also has similar complexity and something like Prince Edward Cherry tobacco on the palate.
Tagged: chardonnay, pinot noir, red wine, rosé
