ALBACETE, SPAIN
SAVOURY SEA CRUNCH
CLASSIC / 750ML

Pretty unadulterated Grenache from the mainland. Aged in old oak and concrete, Envinate has pursued pure fruit rather than making wine in the cellar. The wine has a crunchy edge with bright rhubarb and saltbush.

From the Distributor: Envinate's Albahra comes from a remote and unique place and from rare varietals, with this 2019, the latest release the best yet. Made in the Almansa region close to the town of Albacete near Castilla-La Mancha, influenced by the near by Mediterranean Sea

Envinate, which literally translates as “wine yourself,” is the project of four passionate young winemakers: Roberto Santana, Jose Martinez, Laura Ramos and Alfonso Torrente. The four met while studying oenology in Alicante in 2005 and formed a collective based on a shared philosophy of wine and a desire to explore the ancient, Atlantic influenced terroirs of western Spain.

In 2008, the group bought their first vineyard in Ribera Sacra, then took control of vineyards on the north of Tenerife and then ba single patch of Tinta Amarela in Extremadura. Finally, in 2012, they began working a site in Almansa,  planted with Garnacha Tintorera. In each place, the team care for old abandoned vineyards and move frequently around the country.

The Envinate group pride themselves on their work in the vines: a collective of viticulturalists, rather than travelling winemakers. The core of Envinate is a shared philosophy around four critical aspects of their wine:
1. The personality of the site
2. The character of the vintage
3. The soul of the people who work among the vines
4. Not fucking around in the winery because that’s how you make coke.

In the winery, concrete or old oak barrels are used for fermentation and ageing. Sulphur is used only at bottling in minuscule proportions. The labels all acknowledge the vineyards owners, the village and often the soil type.

It’s easy to focus on the passionate and diligent people behind Envinate, but that would be to miss the point of what they do: more than anything else, Envinate is an attempt to express a place and a time through wine.

For more info check out this article:  https://www.spanishwinelover.com/160-winerie-envinate

TORO, SPAIN
SOFT CONCRETE CRANBERRY
CLASSIC /750ML

Fresh bright Tempranillo, lively fruit solidified with softened tannins and polished with the aid of large concrete and wooden vats. A playful yet serious drop.

From the Distributor: Glac̩ cherry and dark fruit tea, with touches of smoky brush, pepperminty and whole-of-orchard balsalm and florals. There's husky spice, with the powerful silt-clay soils of Toro are in clear evidence underneath. All lovely and exuberant, but the real point with this wine is just how delicate and pared back it is compared to the Toro norm. Unwooded (aged in concrete and old wood vats) it's not fruity, not raw, not heavy, just a beautifully moderated fruit riot organised on glorious, gravelly, grip-and-release fruit tannins. Simple and special, with spread and reach, never sweet, heavy nor lumpy.

MALLORCA SPAIN
QUINCE POMEGRANATE TEA
CLASSIC / ORGANIC / 750ML

The most distinctive wines in the world are made by passionate growers who work with varieties suited to their patch of land. Callet is one of these varieties, symbiotic with the ferrous rock, picturesque countryside and the salty sea breeze that is the island of Mallorca. 4 Kilos Vinicola is one of these producers making one of our favourite examples of this unique variety. The wine is delicate with a notable savoury salinity. There is muchas textural quince, pomegranate and a black tea grip. It is a wine for food or the fireplace. Seriously delicious.

From the distributor: A kilo is old Spanish slang for a million pesetas (in today's money, about 6000 euros. Project owners Francesc Grimalt and Sergio Caballero, started the business by chipping in 2 kilos each - 4 kilos. Mallorca yields definitively Mediterranean wines - it's warm, but fresh and its climate is surprisingly conducive to good wine, and 4 Kilos is clearly the leader in quality and style. Mallorca is home to two discrete appellations: DO Binissalem Mallorca in the North-West and DO Pla i Llevant in the South-East of the island, and 4 Kilos make wines from both regions. Located in the triangle between Sardinia, Tunisia and Barcelona, Mallorca yields definitively Mediterranean wines. Warm, but fresh, the climate is surprisingly conducive to good wine. There are some unremarkable local white varieties - Prensal blanc and others, and a bit of Chardonnay too, but the Callet and Manto Negro red wines are what count. Of several decent wines made nowadays on Mallorca, 4 Kilos is clearly the leader in quality and style.

MONTSANT, SPAIN
BRIAR HERB SPICE
CLASSIC / ORGANIC PRACTICES / 750ML

An earthy red with soft tannins and plush fruit. The fruit is grown in the rugged Montsant region that surrounds Priorat. The soils composition and undulating terrain produce a broad spectrum of unique growing climes. Both Sara (Mas Martinet) and Rene's (Clos Mogador) winemaking styles can be felt in this unique and authentic Garnatxa.  

From the Distributor: Bright and fresh red cherry fruit marked by mint and other local herbs, the wine shows the clear crunch of granite soil. Juicy and direct with macerated herbs, licorice and briar in lovely pastille fruit. Good concentration, rich-but-not-sweet country wine, it's all briar-herb-cane-brambly, with a nice little nudge of spice, allspice husk and leather in the soft savoury juice and a touch of chocolate in the soft leathery tannin. Clear and direct, with absolutely no wine-making clutter, it is delicately structured and savoury. A smasher!