This was the wine that almost didn't make it. We placed our order before the strike impacting the BCLDB, but it didn't arrive on the last shipment. We started making alternate plans. Fortunately, it never came to that.
Four friends, all studying winemaking at university, banded together to start Envinate. Today, they are leading a new frontier of Spanish wine by embracing what’s been forgotten: overlooked regions and varieties combined with traditional winemaking techniques that shy away from overextraction or excessive oak.
Not too long ago, Castilla-La Mancha was known for producing an ocean of simple, inexpensive red wines. That’s changing thanks to wines like Albahra, which translates as "a small sea." It is sourced from old vines planted at altitude in the small sub-region of Almansa, just two hours from the coastal town of Valencia. A blend of 75% Garnacha Tintorea, a red-fleshed variety also known as Alicante Bouschet, and 25% Moravia Agria, a variety on the verge of extinction with just 500 acres remaining, this wine truly speaks to the ethos of Envinate. It's a compelling new vision for Spanish wine, and more than that: it's just outrageously good.
-GM
Tasting Note
This compelling, juicy red shows exceptional purity of fruit, with sappy wild berries that are joined by spicy herbs and soft spices, in part from the use of some whole clusters during fermentation. It's precise and finely textured, benefiting from aging in concrete, with a supple, moreish quality that makes it effortlessly drinkable. Enjoy this with a light chill.
Food Pairing
Garlic rosemary lamb chops or grilled chorizo