Forlong Assemblage 2018

Hailed the new rising stars of Spanish winemakers by Sarah Jane Evans MW.

Producer Bodega de Forlong

Grape Varieties 60% Merlot, 30% Tintilla de Rota y 10% Syrah.

Alcohol 14.5%

Tasting Notes
Bright intense cherry-red colour, with layers of violet. Fragrant, earthy and complex bouquet with aromas of forest red and black (blackberries and plums), violets, black pepper, cocoa, leather, black truffle, figs, rosemary. Concentrated and silky on the palate, round and balanced with fresh acidity and ripe tannins, wrapped together with mineral notes and a freshness that invites you to continue drinking.

Terroir and Viticulture
Vineyard sites of albariza soils in the Pago de “el Forlon” in Balbaina Baja, located in the coastal area of Puerto de Santa Maria, 7 km from the sea. We take advantage of the proximity of the sea, and the purity of the albariza, as well as the local salt-peters which impart saline, chalky character to the grapes.

Vinification
Organically-cultivated grapes are hand-harvested and sorted at the selection table before de-stemming. Pre-fermentation maceration takes place in clay amphorae to respect the integrity of the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation is kick-started by indigenous yeasts for a duration of approximately about 15 days. once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine is pressed off the skins and re-introduced into the clay amphorae for 6 months of ageing during which malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine is transferred into French barrels for a further 12 months ageing on fine lees with batonnage. Bottled without any kind of clarification treatment.

Food pairing
Slow-cooked lamb, suckling pig, beef cheeks in tomato sauce, hard cheeses, olives, jamón de pata negra.