Atalaya La Atalaya Del Camino 2019
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesI also tasted the 2019 La Atalaya del Camino, from a vintage that was marked by torrential rains from the DANA cold spell of September. The parameters were very similar to the 2018, 15% alcohol and a pH of 3.68 and higher acidity, 6.3 grams. It has the balsamic and herbal note of tomato vine and leaf, ripe and juicy, round and full-bodied with abundant, round tannins, rounder than those from the 2018. 54,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2021. Best after 2022.
The winery and vineyards are located in the eastern part of Albacete, between Valencia, Alicante and Murcia, a transitional zone between the Castillian meseta (plateau) and the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards are located on poor soils, rich in limestone, at an altitude of 2300-3300 ft. The area has a continental climate with very low rainfall (less than 14 inches/year) which creates the perfect conditions to keep yields low, lending to high quality fruit with great concentration of color and flavor. The vineyards are all dry farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
The Moors gave it the name, ‘Manxa,’ which fittingly means ‘parched earth.’ La Mancha, the largest Spanish wine producing region in all of Spain, is one of its hottest and driest. Sturdy and drought-resistant white varieietes like Airen, Viura and Verdejo thrive in this environment.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.