Bodegas Bernabeleva, Navaherreros Garnacha de Bernabeleva, DO Vinos de Madrid, Spain, 2022

Producer Profile

In the heart of Spain, just west of Madrid, lies Bodegas Bernabeleva.

Situated at the foot of of the Cerro de Guisando and Gredos mountains, this winery lets its vines stretch out their roots through thin, sandy soils formed from decomposed granite where other crops would struggle to survive. Four generations have tended these old hardy vines, which have repaid the care and attention lavished on them with quality fruit that is hand-harvested from the organically managed vineyards. The plots of Garnacha, Albillo and Moscatel de Grano Menudo are vinified separately, and are neither fined nor filtered to ensure that the love of this land shines through.

Viticulture

This is a red wine made from Grenache grapes chosen from every vineyard in this organically farmed and certified estate. Through the varying types of soils, orientations and microclimates, it showcases the whole of the San Martin de Valdeiglesias' terroir. The ages of the vines range from 40 to 80 and planting densities from 1,900 to 2,200 vines per hectare.

Winemaking

Vineyards are manually harvested. Vinification is minimal intervention and takes place in wood, stainless steel or concrete tanks, depending on the features of the grapes, for each site is vinified and aged separately. All of the must if fermented with wild yeasts and macerates for 5 to 7 weeks, then aged in old oak for 1 year. Unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Note

Wild sweet berry fruits dominate the nose, with hints of spice, herb, graphite and salinity. A silky smooth entry leads on to full bodied flavours of sweet cherry, raspberry and nutmeg. Despite the big flavours this is still lovely and fresh, with a long finish and fine tannins.

Food Matching

Try this with grilled Turbot!