Bodega FINCA BARRONTE represented by EpicureVin

Finca BARRONTE Matapaja Red Wine 2021

Name: Finca BARRONTE Matapaja Red Wine 2021
Brand: Bodega FINCA BARRONTE represented by EpicureVin
SKU: FincaBARRONTEMatapaja2021
Price: 249.0 DKK
Availability: InStock

Tim Atkin 94 points

SUMMARY: A prestigious 94-point award from Tim Atkin MW in his 2024 Rioja Special Report confirms what the terroir already whispers - this single-vineyard Tempranillo is something extraordinary. Born from 40-year-old vines in exceptional limestone-rich soils at the highest elevation, this is winemaking at its most precise and purposeful. The marriage of perfect ripeness with new French oak creates a wine of remarkable freshness and silk-like texture. Finca Matapaja stands as a testament to the heights Tempranillo can reach when exceptional terroir meets meticulous craftsmanship - a true signature wine that speaks eloquently of its unique origin.

249,00 DKK

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

YEAR: 2021

ALCOHOL: 15.0%.

GRAPE VARIETY: Tempranillo 100%.

CLASSIFICATION: Single Vineyard.

CORK: Natural cork 45mm.

AGE OF THE VINEYARD: Over 40 years of age.

SOIL: Calcareous clay.

ELABORATION: This distinguished single-vineyard Tempranillo emerges from a unique terroir - 40-year-old vines rooted in clay-calcareous soils extraordinarily rich in limestone. The southwest-facing plot, situated at the highest elevation of the town, provides optimal exposure for achieving perfect ripeness.
The winemaking approach is equally precise: grapes are harvested only at peak maturity, preserving their concentrated character. Malolactic fermentation occurs in new French oak barrels, where the wine continues its journey, maturing for a full year. This extended barrel aging in the same wood allows for perfect integration while developing complexity.
The combination of old vines, exceptional terroir, and patient aging results in a wine that truly expresses its singular origin.

TASTING NOTES

VISUAL PHASE: Deep color with striking violet hues, displaying remarkable intensity and brilliant clarity in the glass. The wine's rich appearance hints at its concentration and complexity.

OLFACTORY PHASE: The nose reveals powerful aromas of perfectly ripened fruit, showing impressive intensity and depth. These concentrated fruit notes showcase the optimal maturity of the old-vine Tempranillo, creating an inviting and complex bouquet that draws you into the glass.

TASTE PHASE: The wine graces the palate with remarkable freshness, while displaying a seductively silky texture that glides across the tongue. Its impressive length creates a lasting impression, with flavors that continue to evolve throughout the extended finish. The combination of vibrancy and refinement speaks to both the quality of the old vines and the precise winemaking.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: Between 16°C and 18°C.

GASTRONOMY: This refined single-vineyard Tempranillo, with its fresh character and silky texture, proves to be a sophisticated dining companion. Its elegant profile pairs beautifully with fine cuts of meat - from prime ribeye to rack of lamb. The wine's freshness makes it particularly suited to traditional Spanish dishes like lechazo asado (roasted lamb) or cordero al horno.
The silky texture complements rich game birds and duck breast, while its length and complexity stand up to slow-cooked dishes and rich sauces. Try it with aged Iberian ham, premium charcuterie, or mature cheeses where its refinement can truly shine. The wine's balanced nature also makes it an excellent match for mushroom-based dishes and traditional stews.
Serve at 16-18°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and elegant structure.

How to Taste and Truly Understand Wine?

Tasting wine is an art that involves all your senses, offering a journey of discovery. Here are four key steps to guide you:

The Visual Experience (Visual Phase) - Color, Clarity, Cleaneness of wine, "Wine Legs"...
The Aroma (Olfactory Phase) - Bring the glass to your nose and take a deep breath...
The Taste (Palate Phase) - Take a sip and let the wine flow across your palate...
The Grape Variety: The Soul of the Wine - Grape varieties are regarded among the most crucial elements in differentiating wines...

At EpicureVin, we believe tasting wine should be as enjoyable as discovering its story. Each bottle we offer invites you to embark on a sensory journey, uncovering hidden gems that make every sip memorable.

The Visual Experience (Visual Phase)

Begin by examining the wine in your glass. Observe its color - is it pale straw, golden, ruby, or deep purple? Notice its clarity - a clear, bright wine often signals quality. Swirl the glass gently, watching its transparency and how it catches the light. Each of these visual cues can hint at the wine’s age, grape variety, or even its origin!

Pay attention to the wine legs - the streaks that form on the inside of the glass after swirling. While they don’t indicate quality, they can reveal the wine’s alcohol and sugar content. Watching how the legs form and flow offers clues about the wine's richness and body, enhancing your appreciation before the first sip.

The Aroma (Olfactory Phase)

Bring the glass to your nose and take a deep breath. Start broad - what families of aromas can you identify?
For white wines: Do you notice citrus, tropical, or orchard fruits?
For red wines: Are the aromas leaning towards red fruits, blue fruits, or darker black fruits?
Avoid overanalyzing at first; let the scents unfold naturally. As you grow familiar, you’ll start recognizing subtler notes like spices, herbs, or even earthy tones that reveal the wine's character.

The Taste (Palate Phase)

Take a sip and let the wine flow across your palate. Notice how it interacts with different parts of your mouth:

Is it vibrant and zesty, or rich and smooth?
Does it feel balanced, with flavors lingering elegantly after you swallow?

A great wine tells its story through texture, structure, and harmony - this is what elevates the experience.

The Grape Variety: The Soul of the Wine

Every wine begins with a grape, and its variety is the key to understanding its personality. In Rioja, Spain, a region renowned for its winemaking tradition, there are five red grape varieties and nine white grape varieties that form the foundation of its exceptional wines.

The red grapes include Tempranillo, the backbone of Rioja reds, known for its balance and elegance; Garnacha Tinta, offering bold fruitiness; Graciano, prized for its intensity and structure; Mazuelo (also known as Carignan), adding vibrant acidity; and Maturana Tinta, a lesser-known variety with a unique earthy character.

For white wines, Rioja showcases Viura (or Macabeo), celebrated for its fresh and floral notes; Malvasía, with its aromatic richness; Garnacha Blanca, offering citrus and herbal nuances; Tempranillo Blanco, a rare mutation of the red Tempranillo; Maturana Blanca, one of the region's oldest varieties; Turruntés, not to be confused with the Argentine grape; Chardonnay, bringing international appeal; Sauvignon Blanc, adding crispness; and Verdejo, contributing vibrant flavors and minerality.

EpicureVin is here to help you the exploration of these grape varieties, where you will be able to unlock the secrets behind Rioja's rich diversity of flavors and textures, discovering wines that capture the soul of this historic region.

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