Spain's Northern Exposure: Explorer Club (April 2022)
Featured Explorer Club Wines:
2020 BODEGAS NEKEAS | "CEPA POR CEPA" GARNACHA | VALLEY OF VALDIZARBE, NAVARRA, SPAIN
92 points James Suckling: "A rich, juicy red with dried-strawberry, cherry and spice aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied with soft tannins and a savory finish. A beautiful garnacha. Drink now."
100% Garnacha from proprietary goblet trained vines planted in the valley of Valdizarbe, one of Navarra's most historical viticultural areas. These are young vineyards planted with cuttings from pre-phylloxeric vineyards of Garnacha used to produce El Chaparral.
Although the scenic Valley of Valdizarbe has always been considered one of the best areas of production in Navarra, and viticulture here is centuries old (proved by documents from the 15th century unearthed in Añorbe), viticulture in this region was threatened during the 20th century due to depressed grape prices and extreme weather conditions.
Bodegas Nekeas became one of the first wineries to bring back life to the wine making Traditions of this valley. Although the winery has evolved in the three decades since its birth, the eight founding families: Lizarraga, Urricelqui, Sola, Lacunza, San Martin, Huarte, Erviti, and Echarte, remain committed to the care of the land and the tradition of wine making that was passed down from generation to generation.
The original leader of the group, Francisco San Martin, is still the acting president. Manuel Urricelqui is the technical director, and Concha Vecino is the general manager and winemaker.
The winery produces a diversity of high quality, affordable wines from both indigenous grapes and international varieties. Cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay on trellis mixes with old, gnarled vine Garnacha and Tempranillo. Nekeas’ top wine, El Chapparal de Vega Sindoa, is one of Spain’s most unique Garnachas. Navarra is a region that typically used its old vine Garnacha for the production of rosés, but Bodegas Nekeas decided to take its oldest single Garnacha vineyard, planted 80 years ago, and produce an Atlantic expression of Garnacha that is completely unique compared to the warmer climate expressions found elsewhere in Spain.
2019 VIRGEN DEL GALIR | "MARUXA"GODELLO | VALDEORRAS, GALICIA, SPAIN
92 points James Suckling: "This is a very pretty white with dense, ripe fruit and freshness at the same time. It’s full-bodied and flavorful with a creamy texture and lively acidity."
From the Winemaker: Bright straw yellow color. On the nose, intense and varietal, reminiscent of mature white fruit and very mineral. Balanced, silky, fresh and persistent on the palate.
The Virgen del Galir team is young and dynamic, closely linked to the environment and traditions of this place, with extensive knowledge of the area. Miguel Tienda and the oenologist Jorge Navascues are responsible for heading up the team and contribute their extensive experience in the wine sector and their great ideas to a project with a promising future.
The Virgen del Galir winery is located in Éntoma, a small village in Orense. It has been part of the CVNE family since 2018.
The Galir Valley falls under the Valdeorras DO (designation of origin). The winery’s philosophy is to make wines that reflect the values of the land whilst respecting local traditions. This begins with the winery’s name, a tribute to Our Lady of Galir, the protector of the region’s vineyards.
In recent years, several vineyards have been replanted and recovered in the Galir and Bibei Valleys to produce a complete range of villa (“terroir”), parcela (plot of land) and gran cru wines. The white wines of Virgen del Galir are made with grapes from the Galir Valley, an area with a lot of slate and vineyards at high altitude. The red wines are harvested from vines grown on granite soil, from plots in the Galir and Bibei Valleys.
Explorer Club $34.95/month
Two bottles each month for $34.95. Explore the world of wine while developing your palate by enjoying a monthly delivery of wines that represent value and authenticity, hand-selected by the experts at Mission Wines!