2022 La Suerte de Arrayán Albillo Real, Toledo, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Albillo Real grown on sandy soils at 1800' elevation. Cold maceration for two days followed by spontaneous fermentation. Aged for 8 months in large oak barrel.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Bodegas Arrayán was founded in 1999 as a personal project by José María Entrecanales and María Marsans on their estate “La Verdosa” , in Santa Cruz del Retamar, Toledo. To achieve this, Australian vineyard expert Richard Smart carried out an exhaustive study of the terrain, soil, climate, most favourable exposures and orientations and the varieties that best suited the objective. Thus, in the highest part of the estate, the planting of the varieties Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot began,respecting the entire native oak forest that surrounds and dots the vineyard.

The arrival of winemaker Maite Sánchez in 2009 marks a new stage for Arrayán, both in the production of existing wines and in the effort to incorporate native varieties into its range of wines. The main objective since then has been to ensure that the vineyards clearly express the expression of each terroir. To achieve this, the winery practices environmentally friendly viticulture, without using herbicides or insecticides, thus promoting biodiversity and balance.

The same philosophy is followed in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations taking place with the grape's own yeasts, without the addition of oenological products, in order to obtain maximum purity and personality. Ageing is a fundamental aspect, which is carried out in the appropriate barrels to prioritise the expression of the fruit, working with different cooperages and barrel volumes.

The grapes from each vineyard are processed separately to reveal the personality of the different estates and villages. The result is wines from the Finca 'La Verdosa' and the wines from the villages where they work: Almorox, where the Arrayán Albillo Real vineyards are located; El Real de San Vicente, where we obtain La Suerte de Arrayán and Cebreros, a vineyard for Garnacha de Arrayán.

The enormous differences between soils, varieties, altitudes and exposures convey the unique personality and typicality of the different wines.