Supernatural 2016

Located in the heart of Castilla y León, the Bodegas Menade vineyard stretches around Rueda, on wind-swept plateaus marked by a continental climate with significant temperature fluctuations. The Verdejo vines plunge their roots into poor soils, mixing sand, gravel, and rolled pebbles, which promote deep root development and precise mineral expression. The cultivation is carried out organically and without synthetic inputs, in order to preserve local biodiversity and faithfully reflect the character of this unique Castilian terroir.

Made from old Verdejo vines grown organically, Sobrenatural is harvested manually, then gently pressed before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine ferments and is aged without enological inputs, with minimal intervention, seeking to express the purest character of the grape variety and the Rueda terroir. Aging continues on fine lees, in inert containers, to preserve the freshness and natural dimension of the wine, without fining or intensive filtration.

This wine reveals notes of stone fruit, ripe citrus, and exotic fruit, complemented by delicate floral touches and a herbaceous dimension reminiscent of the wild herbs of the Meseta. A clean mineral framework provides tension and length, while some nuances of sweet spices highlight the complexity. On the palate, the body is ample but supported by a lively acidity, with a slightly glycerine texture and a persistent, fresh and savory finish that calls for another glass.

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.