AN/2 2021

Located on the island of Mallorca, in the heart of the Felanitx region in the southeastern part of the Balearic archipelago, the AN/2 vineyard is rooted in predominantly limestone and clay-limestone soils, dotted with stones and red sands typical of the area. The Anima Negra estate cultivates a landscape of small plots surrounded by dry stone walls, influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, which brings sea breezes that regulate temperatures and promote a slow and balanced ripening of the indigenous grapes.

The indigenous grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted, then destemmed before maceration and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, varietal by varietal, to preserve their fruity and spicy character. After blending, the wine is aged in French and American oak barrels, with a majority proportion of used barrels, to refine the structure, soften the tannins, and impart subtle woody notes without masking the expression of the Mallorca terroir.

This wine reveals notes of ripe dark fruits, juicy red fruits, and plum, complemented by delicate floral touches, spicy nuances of pepper and liquorice, as well as woody accents reminiscent of vanilla and cocoa. On the palate, the texture is full and silky, supported by well-integrated freshness, fine and polished tannins, and a persistent finish where sweet spices and a slight mineral imprint return.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.