This very fragrant wine begins with aromas of black pepper, grilled strawberries, raspberries, and herbs.  The juicy, mid-weight palate offers exceptionally soft red fruit flavors along with crushed rocks. The finish has a bit of a bitter cherry pit note.  Pure and bright, the intensity of the fruit is enduring despite the lighter body with medium-tannins and medium finish.

WINE INFORMATION

The winemaking history of the Canary Islands dates back hundreds of years, with dessert wines being particularly famous in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In recent years, the Canary Islands have become a flourishing wine region. Five of the islands in this subtropical archipelago now have DO status including the island of Lanzarote, where this wine was grown. The vines grow on the island’s well known volcanic soils, locally known as “picón,” in the region of Geria. This soil creates quick drainage as well as evaporation of the already minimal amount of water in the soils due to low yearly rainfall. The mountainous region is exposed to such strong winds that the vines are trained in “hoyos,” or low lying vines grown in a circular shape. Each individual vine is planted in crater-like holes in the black volcanic soil and surrounded by a semi-circle stone wall to protect it from the wind. Due to these adverse conditions, the vines are extensively tended by hand and yields are extremely low.

The Monje family has been making wine since 1750. For generations they have passed their passion for and knowledge of the land from father to son. Today Felipe Monje continues the family tradition. Felipe stewards some of the oldest vines on Tenerife (older than 300 years old) and his cellar, full of 200-year old barrels, is a paean to the history of the trade routes that first brought the Canary Islands to worldwine viticultural renown.

Grapes are co-fermented in stainless steel and aged for 4 months in old 1000L American oak. It is bottled unfiltered.

Charcuterie, Cheese, Duck, Grilled preparations, Mushrooms, Pizza, Roasted Root Vegetables, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tapas