2023 Envinate Albahra Garnacha Tintorrera

94 pts
Envinate |Almansa |Garnacha Tintorera
The entry to the Envínate range, Albahra punches well above its weight with deep fruit, savoury structure and zero pretence.

Price:
Sale price$39.00
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Sold out
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Description

"If there is a poster child for the wines of the ‘New Spain’, then Envínate is a strong candidate."
- Luis Gutierrez (The Wine Advocate)

Albahra is where the Envínate range begins — and for the price, it’s a serious overachiever. Sourced from limestone-heavy soils in Almansa, this 2023 release is mostly Garnacha Tintorera with a splash of Moravia Agria. Wild ferment, partial whole bunch, and élevage in concrete and old oak. No fining, no filtration.

It pours dark - Tintorera has pigment to burn - but the palate’s surprisingly fresh. Plum skin, blackberry, and blood orange sit alongside dried herbs, pepper and a touch of cured meat. The tannins are firm, the acidity sharp, but it all feels cohesive. Structured, savoury, and not trying to impress anyone.

It’s the kind of wine that quietly sets a benchmark. Pure, expressive, and honest - no fluff, no gloss, just great fruit handled well.

94 points - "After the Chingao bottling, there is a creamy and spicy whiff in the 2023 Albahra, which makes it feel more mainstream. It's juicy and aromatic and has a medium-bodied palate, contained ripeness, 13% alcohol and good balance, with some fine-grained tannins. Last year, they introduced some white Pardilla grapes in the blend that seem to have given it freshness and a kick in the palate, which is Mediterranean, with good freshness and a balanced mouthfeel." - Luis Gutiérrez (The Wine Advocate)

94 points - "This shows really lovely aromas of violets, stones and dried herbs. The palate is juicy, with succulent blue fruit flavors. Precise and savory. Amazing value. Drink now." - Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas (jamessuckling.com)

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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Ewan M.
Spanish voodoo

Really vibrant and exciting. Highly recommended

Importer's Notes:

'Albahra' is a Moorish word meaning 'Small Sea,' it's a reference to the flat, shallow basin near Albacete where Envinate's Albahra vineyard lies. The area is indeed an ancient, now drained sea bed, as evidenced by the limestone bedrock shot through with fossilised seashells, all of which now rests on the edge of Spain's central plateau at about 800m above current sea levels. Although we typically associate Envinate with 'Atlantic' wines the combination of neglected heritage varietals, interesting vineyards and the proximity to Envinate members' Laura and Alfonso's homes made it possible to include this, single Mediterranean cuvee in Envinate's repertoire.

Albahra is primarily Garnacha Tintorrera, the red fleshed grape that is deemed unworthy to be made into wine by the Spanish authorities. But over the years it's seen increasing amounts of the local, nearly extinct varietal Moravia Agria added to the blend. In part this is inspired by the one and only Juan Antonio Ponce - a Albacete local who almost single handedly championed Moravia Agria with his 'Buena Pinta' cuvee - a wine and winemaker who the Envinate clan hold in very high esteem! With Moravia Agria adding structure to the deeper-set fruit weight of Garnacha Tintorrera, Albahra comes across as a medium bodied but beautifully lifted and poised wine; as fresh and vibrant as you'd expect from the Envinate team but with the definitely garrigue-herbal stamp of the Mediterranean and the plush front palate Garnacha fruit, all tied together with a lick of limestone-salinity. And it has the added advantage of carrying the more economical pricing and bigger yeilds of the Mediterranean wine regions!

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Garnacha Tintorera
Country Spain
Region Almansa
Reviewed By The Wine Advocate
James Suckling
Critic Score 94
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

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