CARLOS SÁNCHEZ
San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Rioja
Carlos' adventure in wine began in the Sierra de Gredos, followed by a more recent project in Rioja Alta, in the area of San Vincente de Sonsierra and Labastida. Here he took over some old parcels planted at Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura growing on calcareous, sandstone and clay soils.
His approach in the vineyard incorporates biodynamic principles and in the winery he favours spontaneous fermentations, often using whole bunches.
Carlos follows a rather Burgundian approach, vinifying each parcel separately in order to express and best represent each one of the terroirs he works with.
The wines are beautifully vibrant and fragrant, with and amazing ageing potential and are departure from the more classic styles of Rioja which the region is known for.
Rioja Blanco, Buradòn Las Plegarias
Vintage 2021
Style White
Region Rioja Alta, Rioja
Varieties Viura
ABV 13.5%
Soils Sandstone
Farming Organic, Biodynamic practices
Winemaking Whole bunches are hand-harvested from low yielding, bush-trained old vines of Viura planted in 1975. Immediately after harvest a short 24-hour cold soak takes place in open-top stainless steel tanks before the bunches are pressed into 400L barrels to ferment dry. The wine then ages for 11 months on its fine lees in the very same barrels.
Tasting Note Seductive aromas of citurs fruit, honeysuckle and white flowers. On the palate is rather complex and offers remarkable exotic notes. Round yet nicely balanced, it ends on a delicate, salty finish.
Rioja, Bienlarme Lágrimas Bellas
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Rioja Alta, Rioja
Varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha
ABV
Soils Sandstone, Limestone
Farming Organic, Biodynamic practices
Winemaking Fully de-stemmed fruit is macerated in stainless steel tanks for 4 weeks. After a first racking the wines moves to old Burgundy barrels where it goes through malolactic conversion and ages on fine lees for just over a year. Bottled unfiltered any without fining or cold stabilisation.
Tasting Note Dark plums, a hint of prunes, soaked plums, toast, a hint of smoke. A bit more grip on the palate with savoury dried herbs and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish.
Rioja, Buradòn Las Plegarias
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Rioja Alta, Rioja
Varieties Garnacha
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Organic, Biodynamic practices
Winemaking The Grenache for the tinto version of Buradòn comes from an old parcel planted in the 1970s. The old, bush-train vines are hand-harvested at the beginning of October following a strict selection in the vineyard. The fruit is processed whole bunch for 80%, whilst the remaining 20% is de-stemmed. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in large barrels, macerating for approximately 40 days. Malolactic occurs naturally and once completed the wine is racked and returned to barrel to age for 10 months.
Tasting Note Juicy red plums, soaked red cherries, herbal spice, heady, intense fruit. The palate is fresh and fleshy, with blueberry fruit, lavender notes and scrubbed herbs coming through.
Rioja, Montes Bellos
Vintage 2021
Style Red
Region Rioja Alta, Rioja
Varieties Tempranillo, Viura
ABV
Soils Limestone, Clay, Sandstone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking From an old vineyard planted in 1977. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Viura. The grapes were harvested on the 8th of October. The whole bunches were spontaneously fermented and macerated for 30 days. Malolactic conversion took place naturally in 500L barrels. The wine is unfiltered.
Tasting Note
Rioja, La Bendecida
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Rioja Alta, Rioja
Varieties Tempranillo, Viura, Garnacha
ABV
Soils Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking La Bendecida is the rarest drop from Carlos and with only 298 bottles and 2 magnums produced represents one of the smallest production across our entire portfolio. A rigorous selection starts in the vineyards, where whole bunches of grapes are hand-harvested and carried back to the winery using small 18kg crates. Fermentation lasts 3 weeks in stainless steel though sugars are finished in used Pièces Bourguignonnes. Aged for 16 months on its lees before bottling.
Tasting Note The power and intensity of this tiny 0.2ha single vineyard is perfectly captured in this wine.