El Cerro Brujo 2019

Located in the arid, sun-drenched landscapes of southeastern Spain, the Alto Horizonte estate sources its grapes from high-altitude slopes swept by Mediterranean winds. The vines, rooted in poor soils of limestone and clay, benefit from a dry climate with significant temperature variations between day and night. This combination promotes slow ripening of the berries and a beautiful aromatic concentration, while preserving the fruit's natural freshness. The vineyard is nestled in a pristine rural environment, surrounded by hills and garrigue scrubland.

The grapes from Domaine Alto Horizonte destined for the El Cerro Brujo cuvée are harvested at optimal ripeness, then destemmed before fermentation in controlled tanks to preserve fruit and freshness. Maceration is conducted in a way that gently extracts color and tannins, with pump-overs adapted to the desired profile. Aging then takes place in tanks and barrels to refine the structure, add aromatic complexity, and harmonize the whole before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red and juicy black fruits, along with floral hints, enhanced by spicy nuances and a touch of toasty oak. On the palate, it is full and supple, supported by fine, well-integrated tannins , balanced acidity , and a velvety texture that leads to a lingering finish. Subtle mineral and garrigue notes add complexity and freshness, prolonging the aromatic experience and inviting further tasting.

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.