El Escocés Volante, La Multa Old Vine Garnacha, DO Calatayud, Spain, 2020

Producer Profile

Norrel Robertson is a master of wine, consulting and making wine around the world.

Norrel also owns a little patch of land, high up in the rugged landscape of Calatayud, where he tends to gnarly, old Garnacha vines in poor mineral soils: poetic symbolism for this rebellious Scotsman who won’t be tamed. To look at his labels is to realise his irreverence for the local law. With his wild winemaking techniques, Norrel is making his mark on this region with raw, fantastically assertive Garnacha wines.

Viticulture

Grown on old bush vines, in Arcillo – calcaire (chalk and clay soils) situated on the slopes of the Ribota valley of the Calatayud DO at an altitude of 700 – 900m above sea level. Free draining soils combined with minimal rainfall and significant differences in day and night time temperature gives rise to wines with excellent colour , aroma and distinctive varietal aromas.

Winemaking

Temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation to 28 degrees celcius for 7 days with delistage and pigeage for colour and gentle tannin extraction followed by a short maceration. Pressed off skins using only free run wine followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine is then cold stabilised and given a fine earth filtration prior to membrane filtration.

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

Mid to deep purple. Pronounced intensity of primary raspberry, cherry and prune varietal fruit characters with complex earthy notes of spice and leather. Full bodied with fine, soft tannins and well balanced acidity. Soft raspberry and wild berry fruits give way to a long, smooth, spicy finish.

Food Matching

Tapas, bbq, lamb and duck. Even try chilled slightly for the summer months.