Sitting in the sun on a terrazza overlooking the Mediterranean, a bowl of Ligurian olives, some Iberican Jamon, and a big ice bucket with a couple of bottles of wine cooling in it, there are few things I’d rather be doing. But if like me, a Spanish holiday is a little far off you can at least enjoy the trappings. The Macabeo Sauvignon Blanc is a Spanish white (I can think of no better description), lots of aroma, a lemon zest and stone fruit flavour, with a touch of mineral bubbliness and a textural finish that sort of holds on to your tastebuds. It’s lemony tartness does mean it is best enjoyed cold, and with food but what more could you want to accompany a hearty mid winter paella?
WINEMAKING: Marques de Tezona is named in honour of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar “El Cid” - the legendary Castilian nobleman, general and champion of central Spain. The wine is primarily sourced by the dry, high altitude plateaus of Castilla la Mancha and is made without the influence of oak as a versatile companion to seafood and lightly flavoured dishes. The fruit is de-stemmed before a three hour maceration on skins to increase aromatic intensity. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 16°C to maintain fruit expression and vibrancy. Malolactic fermentation is prevented during maturation on lees in tank before pre-bottling cold stabilisation and fining. Despite the fireworks elsewhere, 2014 was a relatively trouble free vintage in Manchuela with regular but not excessive rain events and sufficient sunlight hours during ripening. As is so often the case in cooler vintages in warmer climates, the white wines of 2014 are of outstanding quality with beautiful aromatics and acidity.
Don't Pay: $18.00
WBW Rating: 91/100
Closure: Screwcap
Region: Castilla La Mancha, Spain
