Bodegas Bernabeleva, Viña Bonita, DO Madrid, Spain, 2022

Producer Profile

In the centre of Spain, a stone’s throw west of Madrid, is Bodegas Bernabeleva.

At the feet of the Cerro de Guisando and Gredos mountains this winery lets its vines stretch out their roots through the thin infertile sandy soils, formed from decomposed granite, to cling on to life. Four generations have tended these old hardy vines that have repaid the care and attention with quality fruit hand harvested from the organically managed vineyards. Plots of Garnacha, Albillo and Moscatel de Grano Menudo are vinified separately, neither fined nor filtered to ensure that both the land and love shown shine through.

Viticulture

Fruit comes from certified organic vineyards at the top of the hill in San Martin de Vadeigliesias, which is surrounded by a Mediterranean forest and a centennial Olive grove. Planted in 1925, the soft granite soils are only 20cm deep and poor in nutrients. All vines are hand picked.

Winemaking

A single vineyard wine, paying tribute to winery founder Vicente Álvarez Villamil, who planted this vineyard by clearing 3 Ha of forest. Minimal intervention this fements in it's own wild yeasts and macerates for 5 to 7 weeks. Aged for 1 year in used 500L french oak barriques, then in stainless steel for the second winter to clarify naturally in the low tmeperatures. Bottled unfiltered.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 Months
Type: French Oak 500 litre Barriques
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

Certified as organic from the 2022 vintage, this wine is garnet in colour with pale red rim, ripe black fruit and liquorice. A Garnacha with strong saline and mineral notes, firm tannins that are evolving beautifully. A big wine with genuine terroir expression lifted by the granite minerality.

Food Matching

Grilled, stewed and braised meats like beef, veal, pork, chicken and of course game.