Cantalapiedra Viticultores, Majuelo del Chiviritero, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2020

Producer Profile

You may call young winemaker, Manuel Cantalapiedra, a rebel or even a freedom fighter but most importantly he is a farmer with a clear vision for the style of Verdejo he wants to make in Castilla y León.

Manuel shares a passion for this grape with his father, who he named the winery after, and with his neighbours, but this is where the common interest ends and the rebellion begins. Harvesting later, organically and from single vineyard plots, his wines demonstrate power and finesse in equal measure. His heart and his vineyards lie in the centre of DO Rueda, yet his wines are miles ahead of the appellation.

Viticulture

El Chiviritero is a unique vineyard planted in 1981, with goblet vines located about 750m above sea level. Boulder rich soils, characteristic of the area of La Seca with a higher proportion of clay and limestone layers at deeper levels. Very low yield, around 30hl/ha.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested by hand into 15-kilo crates and pressed straight away as soon as they arrive at the wine cellar. The spontaneous fermentation was carried out for 44 days with no temperature control in French oak barrels of various sizes, followed by a malolactic fermentation. Ageing on the lees without battonage for 11 months and another 11 months in inox tanks.

Oak Ageing

Time: 11 Months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

Natural and ripe, this is incredibly well made certified organic Verdejo, with just the right amount of oak. Straw coloured, with a medley of tropical Fruit in the nose

Food Matching

Chicken, seafood and rice dishes.