La Ermita de Santa Bárbara is a single vineyard of old bush vines next to the Virgin of Santa Barbara Hermitage in the municipality of Tabuenca, D.O. Campo de Borja. The grapes from the old vines create concentrated flavors and aromas. We ferment this wine very delicately with very gentle extraction to add finesse and delicate red fruit. We treat it like it were grand cru. Aromas and flavors of sweet plums gently wrapped in tobacco leaves, cedar, chocolate with a hint of vanilla and white pepper. Intensely pleasurable on its own or paired with grilled vegetables and baked or roasted potatoes.

Grape : 100% Garnacha Tinta, single vineyard
Hand harvested in small baskets
Single Vineyard, Mountain, Old vines 12m. maturation French oak 225L, 300L, 500L

Viticulture:
The vineyard is located near the Santa Bárbara hermitage in the municipality of Tabuenca, a "Mars like” terroir with a mixture of basalt, siliceous sandstones of intense red color and shale on a mountain ridge at almost 900 metres above sea level. Vines are 50 years old+, dry-farmed, bush-trained and hand-harvested.

Winemaking:
The fermentation was carried out by wild yeasts. 500 kg. were whole cluster fermented and another 500kg. were fermented in open-top barrels, the remaining grapes were fermented in concrete. Aged in a mixture of used and new French Oak barrels for 12 months.

Tasting note:
Bright ruby red. Ripe crushed red berries and sweet plums are wrapped in tobacco, cedar, milk chocolate with a hint of vanilla. A fresh attack of juicy raspberries and tangy blackberries with plenty of soft tannins and body to complement the rich fruit. Long finish.

Points & Awards:

James Suckling: 92 points
“From a single parcel of old, bush-vine grenache on red-slate soil, this has
aromas of dried red flowers and raspberries with leaves and gentle pastry notes.
The palate has a very plush and ripe core of raspberry flavors with some red
plums and redcurrants. The tannins and finish are very ripe.”

Vinous: 91 points

Robert Parker: 90 points “The nose combines ripe berries and spices,
a touch of smoke and earth, and the palate is full-bodied, juicy, voluptuous and
generous with a slightly warm finish..”