Cien Y Pico, `Doble Pasta` Manchuela Garnacha/Tintorera
Vintage: 2021
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CP101A21 | 12 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
When four winemakers, Zar Brooks and Elena Golakova Brooks (Dandelion Vineyards), Luis Jiménez García and Nicola Tucci, discovered old Garnacha Tintorera vines in Manchuela, they were shocked to find them being dug up. Their determination to save and celebrate these ancient vines led to the founding of Cien y Pico. The project's name translates to ‘hundred and something’ as a nod to the age of these historic vineyards.
The four vineyards Cien y Pico works with lie on the high Meseta plateau of Castilla-La Mancha, where deep-rooted vines thrive in low-vigour, limestone-rich soils and the surrounding mountains offer protection from the icy winters and intense summer sun. With only around 300 millimetres of rain annually, the climate is extremely dry, yet the elevation of nearly 1,000 metres above sea level ensures cool nights and intense sunlight, ripening grapes to perfection while preserving freshness. These old, low-yielding, bush-trained Garnacha, Tintorera and Bobal deliver vibrant colour, concentrated fruit and flavour. Traditionally used for blending, these grapes are expertly crafted into elegantly balanced and approachable wines.
The ‘Doble Pasta’ Garnacha Tintorera (also known as Alicante Bouschet) is opaque purple in colour and full-bodied with a savoury meatiness, smooth tannins, and a lovely natural acidity. The ‘En Vaso’ Bobal, spends 12 months in mainly used oak barriques, creating a soft wine with juicy tannins and a lifted, fresh finish. The four winemakers modestly refer to the wines as being “fresh-picked fruit off the vine, with just a little winemaking”.
Vineyards
This vineyard is located in Mahora, a tiny village next to Albacete, between Madrid and Alicante on the coast. It is located on a wide, dry plateau 1000 metres above sea level, surrounded by mountains that offer protection from the icy cold winters. The soil here is composed of limestone rich, red, sandy Miocene era sedimentary clay and the yield is approximately 3.3 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage in Castilla-La Mancha was characterised by notably cool conditions that marked the first cool harvest since 2010. The year began with the historic winter storm Filomena in January, which brought unprecedented snowfall that helped replenish water reserves across the region. Spring conditions were favourable with adequate rainfall supporting healthy vine development, though adverse weather conditions, notably hail and storms in September, impacted some areas and reduced overall yields. Better weather followed in October, with fine, sunny conditions and favourable wide temperature variations between day and night, allowing for optimal ripening during the final harvest period. The cooler growing season resulted in wines with enhanced freshness, balanced acidity, and more moderate alcohol levels.
Vinification
The ancient, free standing bush vines were grown on their own roots with just 300mm of rain a year, yielding tiny but intense crops of deeply coloured Garnacha Tintorera. 'Doble Pasta' is a method of winemaking where crushed grapes were fermented over additional grape skins to create a dark, concentrated wine. They were then vinified traditionally with some new French oak.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The nose reveals ripe black cherry and plum layered with blackberry compote, violets and a touch of sweet spice. Hints of liquorice, cocoa and a subtle savoury edge add complexity. On the palate it is full-bodied and richly textured, with concentrated dark fruit framed by firm yet polished tannins and a fresh line of acidity that keeps the wine balanced. The finish is long and persistent, with notes of dark chocolate, spice and ripe berry fruit.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cien Y Pico | `En Vaso` Manchuela Bobal | CP103 | R |