Cantalapiedra Viticultores El Parvon 2020

Cantalapiedra Viticultores El Parvon 2020

Cantalapiedra Viticultores
$70.00

Grape: Tinto de Toro, Verdejo, Moscatel, Palomino
Vintage: 2020
Type: Red

This low-intervention red wine is sourced from ancient, dry-farmed vineyards rooted in the rugged clay-limestone soils of Castilla y León. Winemaker Manuel Cantalapiedra co-ferments old-vine tinto de toro from ungrafted rootstocks with minor portions of white varieties like verdejo, moscatel, and palomino. Spontaneous fermentation relies entirely on native wild yeasts in neutral open vats, focusing on gentle infusions. The wine is aged in old oak barrels to encourage structural integration without introducing wood flavors.

It displays a deep ruby hue, releasing a complex nose of dark plum, blackberry, wild herbs, and sweet tobacco leaf. On the palate, a medium-to-full-bodied frame pairs dense dark fruit flavors with a serious, gravelly tannin structure. A clean wave of natural acidity cuts through the volume, keeping the fluid mouthfeel refreshed. Subtle notes of ground pepper and iron add a savory depth across the mid-palate. It finishes dry and persistent, leaving a stony trace.

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.