Bodegas Altolandon, Mil Historias Bobal, Manchuela, Spain, 2023

Producer Profile

At Bodegas Altolandon, owner and winemaker Rosalia Molina makes organic wines in one of Spain’s highest altitude wineries.

Her mission is to craft wines that express the typicity of DO Manchuela – its vineyards, its altitude and the varieties planted. This is viticulture on the edge of what is possible: at 1,100m above sea level, the grapes experience a large diurnal range that encourages even ripening and helps to retain natural acidity. Rosalia’s vineyards are certified organic, employ only natural fertilizers and promote biodiversity by allowing chickens, sheep and pigs from the local farms to roam freely. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and minimal intervention. The wines are then aged in clay amphorae and some in French oak to give them the requisite texture and complexity.

Viticulture

The vineyards face north-south, at about 1100 metres surrounded by mountains but on a flat plain. The vineyards are farmed organically, sustainably and biodynamically with vines cordon trained and spur pruned.

Winemaking

Harvested late, by hand and never before the 12th October into 12kg cases. The colour is extracted in 6000 litre inox tank. Skin contact for 2 to 3 weeks at a controlled temperature before an alcoholic fermentation which is spontaneous, with gentle pumping over for 5 weeks. Pressed directly to 3rd use, 225 Litre French oak barrels, where the malolactic fermentation takes place, also in a natural and spontaneous way for about 4 months. Stabilisation is also natural and during the coldest months, temperatures can go to minus 15º C.

Tasting Note

A deep cherry colour with violet tints. The aroma is intense, full of ripe red seasonal fruit (cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant), subtle hints of violets, rosemary and a touch of black pepper. This Bobal shows distinctive power, vibrant fruit, freshness with soft and ripe tannin. It is spicy and juicy with a well rounded palate with a fascinating crunchy-fruit freshness. The finish is gently tannic combined excellent depth.

Food Matching

Best with richly flavoured meat. Roasts, cheeses and cold cuts.