Motorpsico 2022

Motorpsico is produced by the Michelini i Mufatto estate in El Bierzo, in northwestern Spain, in the heart of the province of León. The vines are rooted in hillsides with predominantly clay-limestone and schist soils, influenced by a temperate Atlantic climate with moderate summers and cool nights. This mosaic of terroirs helps preserve the natural freshness of the grape variety while promoting slow and even ripening, resulting in wines with a precise aromatic profile and a marked balance between fruit, structure, and tension.

Motorpsico grapes are hand-harvested on the slopes of Bierzo, meticulously sorted, and destemmed before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in tanks to preserve the fresh and juicy character of Mencía. Gentle maceration prioritizes fruit over extraction. The wine is then aged for several months in used oak barrels and/or neutral containers to refine the tannins and maintain a pure, vibrant, and approachable expression of the terroir, free from excessive oak influence.

This wine reveals notes of crisp red fruit and juicy black berries , supported by delicate floral touches reminiscent of violet and peony, as well as spicy nuances of pepper and licorice. Mineral and slightly smoky accents add further depth and underscore the terroir's origin. On the palate, the wine is supple and vibrant, with a fresh texture, fine, ripe tannins, lively, well-integrated acidity, and a long, flavorful, and easy-drinking finish.

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.