Two lovely wines from Navarra, Spain: Aseginolaza y Leunda
Website: https://aseginolazayleunda.com/
Pedro Leunda and Jon Aseginolaza are childhood friends from San Sebastien, now making wine from the north western part of Navarra in Spain. They began with a small plot of old vine Garnacha in 2016 and now have 10 small vineyard plots covering almost 4 hectares. These two wines are made quite naturally, with just small additions of sulfites before bottling, and are quite thrilling. UK agent is Carte Blanche.
Aseginolaza y Leunda Kauten 2019 Navarra, Spain
14.5% alcohol. This comes from 10-15 year old cane-pruned vines in Olite, Navarra, and is 100% Garnacha. Soils are stony calcareous clays and the altitude is 410 m. Fermentation is with 20% whole bunches at the bottom of the tank, and the wine matures for four months in old French oak. Fine, supple and very expressive with generosity as well as elegance. Rounded with a chalky freshness on the finish and some subtle green hints framing the lovely mouthfilling sweet fruit. Supple and fresh. 94/100 (£30 Handford Wine)
Aseginolaza y Leunda Cuvée 2019 Navarra, Spain
14.5% alcohol. This is 75% Garnacha and 25% Mazuelo (Carignan), from old bush vines grown on stony soils with clay/silt. Fully destemmed and punched down daily, then spends 6 months in old French oak. Very fresh, linear and concentrated with a nice spicy edge to the fruit. Very fine with good precision and notes of raspberry and cherry, as well as fine spices. This has tension and vitality, showing a juicy edge to the fruit. So distinctive. 94/100 (£30 Handford Wines)
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