El Hombre Bala 2020

Tasting Notes

- 187 - EL HOMBRE BALA E A joint venture between the Barcelona dis- tributor, Vila Viniteca, and Comando G winemakers, Daniel Gómez Jiménez-Landi and Fernando García. It was established in 2010 with the aim of producing wines from the old, granitic Garnacha vineyards of the Sierra de Gredos, not far from Madrid. These vineyards are at altitudes of between 800m and 1100m, with vines aged between fifty and ninety years old. The region has very deep soils which encourage roots to delve down. The natural disintegration of granite rock over time has formed sand and gravel, which is the basic soil-type of the vine- yards. These poor soils contain little organic matter but high levels of quartz and silica. There are eight vineyards: Los Castanos, Voladuras, La Mujer Canon, Le Fuente del Ason, Los Barrancas, Reina de los Deseos, Mingo Grande, and El Piquillo. Yields are extremely low at 2,500-4,000kg per hectare. Typically, the majority of grapes are vinified whole-bunch using indigenous yeasts with very little intervention. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out at controlled low temperatures. Maceration with skins takes place over about one month, maturation is in oak barriques and a variety of larger casks of different capacities. 98% Garnacha and 2% Carignan from Peña de Cenicientos and Peña Muñana, in Cadalso de los Vidrios at altitudes of 800-850m from 40-60 year-old bush vines. 14 months in French oak vats and barrels. Pale cherry in colour, aromas of red cherry, strawberry, vanilla and confectionery, flo- ral notes (violets) with black pepper and cardamom. Very fresh acidity and crunchy red fruit on the palate, cherry and strawberry again leading into a savoury finish with a seductive impression of charm and elegance.