Winemaker Notes
The 2019 delivers a fine aromatic constellation of dark berries, bitter cherry, tree bark, lovely Canary Islands botanicals, dark soil tones and a top note of smoked meats. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a superb core of black fruit, lovely mineral drive and grip, ripe, seamless tannins and a long, tangy and perfectly balanced finish. This is dynamite Listán Negro! It is approachable out of the blocks, but will be even better with a few years in the cellar to allow its suave tannins to fall away a bit more.
The Canary Islands are the southernmost Northern Hemisphere wine region. Because of such a dry climate, grape vines grown on the island are coiled in small craters in the volcanic soil which shelter them from the strong, sun-baked winds. This is the perfect climate for Listan Negro, which is vinified in several styles, from delicate, food-friendly rosés to light and fruity reds made by carbonic maceration (the technique used to make Beaujolais Nouveau), to traditionally-vinified reds aged in oak.
Set of islands off the coast of Morocco and south of Madeira that host a wide range of indigenous and unique grape varieties. Soils are volcanic and recent subsidies from the local government has led to a revival of the islands’ old vines.