2012 Arrayan "Premium" Tinto, Toledo, Spain

ABOUT THE WINE

A blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot Grapes grown on the La Verdosa Estate (Toledo), sandy soils at an altitude of 510m.

Each variety is separately hand-harvested and selected, then vatted by gravity feed. Cold maceration for three days before fermentation. Spontaneous fermentation at controlled temperature in small stainless steel tanks for about 35 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the cask.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Bodegas Arrayán was founded in 1999 as a personal project of entrepreneur José María Entrecanales and his wife María Marsans, on their estate of La Verdosa, located in Santa Cruz de Retamar in Toledo. They planted Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot in the section of the vineyard with the highest altitude, in harmony with the holm oak trees scattered around the estate. Their goal is to achieve wines that are an eloquent expression of their terroir. To this end, their vine-growing practices are environmentally friendly, without herbicides or pesticides, in order to favor biodiversity and balance. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using the grapes’ natural yeasts, without any added products. The grapes from each vineyard are processed separately so as to bring out the personality of each estate and village.

This winery is an interesting marriage between modernity and tradition. Dr. Richard Smart from Australia consulted on the vineyard layout, complete with computerized irrigation sensors. Enologist Miguel Angel de Gregorio makes the wine; he hand harvests and ensures that no chemicals are used on the vines. The vineyards were designed around existing oak trees that bespeckle the landscape, and nitrogen-rich cover crops grow between the rows. Arrayan "Premium" is aged for 14 months in new French oak. The vines were planted in 1992, with the inaugural vintage in 2003.