Burgos Porta Mas Sinen Clos

Altolandon Organic Red

$22.74

Owner & winemaker, Rosalia Molina, produces these organic wines in one of Spain's highest-altitude wineries. Her mission is to make wines that express the typicity of DO Manchuela, and this includes the vineyards, the altitude and the varieties planted. The climate pushes the limits for grape growing because, at 1,100 metres above sea level issues like frost become a concern. The grapes tend to experience a large diurnal range that encourages even ripening and helps to retain natural acidity. Rosalia's vineyards are certified organic, she uses only natural fertilizers, promoting biodiversity by welcoming chickens, sheep and pigs from local farms to roam the vineyards freely. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and little other intervention. The wines are then aged in clay amphora and some in French oak to give texture and complexity.

This organic red blend is made up predominantly of Syrah, with some Cabernet Franc and Garnacha, dense and layered. One to enjoy now or cellar for a while. It spends 24 months in French oak as well.Ripe notes of black berries, blueberries, a touch of minerality and an expressive note of black pepper. A great wine to pair with a juicy steak, tourtiere and/or roasted root vegetables. Vegan friendly! 

Burgos Porta Mas Sinen Coster

$67.14

Mas Sinen is the name of the 15 hectares of organic vineyards and winery run by Poboleda native Salvador Burgos, a man of incredible energy and enthusiasm. Situated on a steep hillside outside the village, where only mules, not machines, work the land, Mas Sinen produces 4 wines, some from rare pre-phylloxera grapes which yield tiny quantities of juice. His friend, Sergi Mendez shows us around, explaining the mineral-rich content of the water that trickles down the hills through the llicorella soil is potable. “We try to put our terroir into the bottle,” says Burgos. The yield is so tiny, that 2 vines yield no more than a glass of wine. The grey  stone-faced winery is small but old, boasting of basket-presses ranged alongside steel tanks. In the tasting room, we taste the 2018 Mas Sinen. It is still a baby, Burgos declares, “It will be ready in 2021, after 6 months in barrel.” Burgos’ wines are ageworthy, but he shrugs this away with “Yes, it can age. But wine is made to be enjoyed, and because Priorat production is so small, its wines are rarely aged. They are drunk very quickly.”

Trossos Lo Mon Grenache Priorat

$46.74

A Kensington Wine Market exclusive. We have fallen in love with the wines from Trossos a small family winery in the Priorat region of Spain devoted to organic farming. Made from a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Carignan,15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, this is a gorgeous and elegant Priorat. Deep crimson red in colour, the nose offers black fruit compote together with black spices and notes of licorice. Smooth and velvety in the mouth with tannin tension for structure. The classic Priorat minerality frames the lovely black and red fruits. It finishes with long and satisfying dark fruit notes, with the aromas of sweet spices reemerging on the finish. Best food bets are rich and hearty fare like braised wild game, earthy vegetarian stews, or strong cheese. 

Celler de Roure Les Alcusses

$28.04

Tucked behind the Serra Grossa, at the top of the Alrorins-Alcusses valley, sits the idyllic site of Celler del Roure, an estate developed by Pablo Calatuyud and his father to shine a light on a more ancient and authentic style of Valencian, away from the bulk production the area was becoming more recognized for. His intention to rehabilitate long-forgotten grapes such as Mando, Arcos and Verdil was solidified with the discovery of a 500-year-old cellar on the mountainside property, with subterranean clay amphoras ‘tinajas’ in near-perfect condition. The owners describe the affinity of ancient grapes and amphora as nothing short of magical. Looking across the landscape from the winery, you can’t but notice the higher exposed chalky white soils akin to albariza, whilst closer to the winery there is more sand both of which add delicacy and freshness to the wines. The altitude and the cooling east winds help maintain the acidity and freshness of the grapes, providing a remarkable location for vine cultivation in this warm Mediterranean region. The site also has deep historical significance, as archeologists have discovered evidence of a 4th-century civilization on the site of Bastide de les Alcusses.