Cantalapiedra Viticultores Alto Las Cuestas 2020

Cantalapiedra Viticultores Alto Las Cuestas 2020

Cantalapiedra Viticultores
$65.00

Grape: Garnacha
Vintage: 2020
Type: Red

This high-altitude red wine is crafted by Manuel Cantalapiedra from old garnacha bush vines in the Rueda region of Spain. The ancient plots are managed with low-intervention viticulture, forcing the roots deep into poor, limestone-rich soils. Spontaneous fermentation occurs with native vineyard yeasts in neutral open tanks, prioritizing gentle extraction over heavy forced power. The wine matures naturally without modern chemical corrections to ensure a clear look at the regional terroir.

It pours a translucent ruby color, opening with expressive aromatics of wild raspberry, red cherry, and damp earth. On the palate, a medium-bodied frame balances concentrated red fruit flavors with a refreshing, limestone-driven line of acidity. Savory nuances of Mediterranean scrubland and wild spices develop nicely across the fluid mouthfeel. Fine-grained tannins provide a solid structural grip that avoids simple fruit sweetness. It finishes clean and dry, leaving a lingering mineral trail.

Cantalapiedra Viticultores is located in La Seca, a village in the heart of Spain's Rueda appellation. The estate is run by father-and-son team Isaac and Manuel Cantalapiedra, with Manuel, a classically trained pianist, now leading the winemaking. They are a vanguard of minimal intervention winemaking in a region dominated by conventional producers. While Rueda is known for a consistent style of Verdejo, Cantalapiedra focuses on producing single-vineyard bottlings that highlight the unique differences in their terroirs. In the cellar, they use wild yeasts for fermentation and add minimal to no sulfur, relying on natural processes to express the character of their vineyards.