This second ‘Finca Martelo Vintage’ stands out for a growth cycle with very suitable weather that met the expectations of a great vintage. We picked during the first week in October, looking for the highest aromatic expression of the grapes from the selected plots. Green pruning and cluster thinning allowed us to produce a wine with an excellent balance in alcohol content and acidity, with outstanding intensity and typicity of varietal aromas.
95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, Garnacha and even Viura, representing the vineyard’s own traditional blend. The winemaker, Julio Sáenz, selected three plots for this wine:, Martelo, Camino de la Iglesia and Las Cuevas. The vines are over sixty years old, distributed across north-south facing slopes, with good exposure to the sun and wind, achieving balanced ripeness and magnificent condition.
The grapes were collected in 20 kg/44 lb tubs and remained in refrigerated platforms in the winery until they reached a temperature of 4 °C/39 °F. To highlight the grapes’ particular characteristics, after destemming and crushing, they were given a cold soak (they were left to macerate for nine days at a temperature below 10 °C/50 °C) before fermentation. After alcoholic fermentation, 100% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels for 96 days in new American and French oak, with weekly bâttonages. It was aged for 24 months in 80% American and 20% French oak barrels. The wine was racked four times employing traditional methods. It was bottled in July 2017.
It stands out for its ruby-red intensity. Clean and bright, it shows a marked garnet-red rim. The nose reveals very intense red fruit, raspberries, cherries and cranberries, enveloping balsamic and spicy aging notes (vanilla, liquorice, black chocolate and cloves). Outstanding freshness and balance in the mouth, coupling a pleasant acidity with silky, fatty tannins that give it a good structure and a pleasant mouthfeel. Long, well-balanced aftertaste.
The wine’s structure and elegance makes it an ideal food companion. Long in the mouth, it is perfect with braised and roasted meats, as well as game and cured sausages.
