Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 La Forcallà de Antonia fermented with 50% full clusters, which was higher than normal, trying to compensate the warmer year. It comes from sandy soils (the vines are ungrafted!), which gives finesse, freshness and elegance to the wines. It's pale, super aromatic, floral and expressive, clean, something between a Mencía and a Garnacha, with red rather than black fruit. It has a medium-bodied palate, with good grip, fine tannins, good ripeness and an unnoticed 14% alcohol, as it comes through as balanced and harmonious. 7,800 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2023.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
The Valencia DO wine region is a non-contiguous appellation, with four distinct subzones, surrounding the area beyond Valencia’s capital city. Winemaking in the northern part of this region is dominated by old growing areas surrounding the city. The region was established in 1957.
Historically, bulk wine has been the focal point of the region and cooperatives still handle 85% of total production today. However, winemakers are trying to steadily move away from this and focus more on producing quality wine thanks to a growing group of local innovative winemakers. More importance is being placed on older vines of indigenous (or historic) varieties planted at higher altitudes, which range from 820 - 3,600 feet.
There is growing excitement about the wines being produced from black grapes such as Monastrell, as well as late-ripening white grapes such as Merseguera. The most planted grape, Moscatel de Alejandría, has its own subzone centered around the production of sweet, fortified liqueur wines, called locally Mistela de Moscatel. The region's reds, rosés and whites actually all include dessert wines, each with their own wine-making traditions.