Forlong Tintilla

90 Robert Parker points. Hailed the new rising stars of Spanish winemakers by Sarah Jane Evans MW.

Producer Bodega de Forlong

Grape Variety  100% Tintilla de Rota

Alcohol 14.5%

Tasting Notes
Bright picota-red colour, layered and dense. The nose is expressive and pronounced, with a complexity of fresh red fruits (cherry, plum), cinnamon, black pepper, chamomile, Mediterranean herbs (rosemary and thyme), all set against a chalky, mineral background. Ripe tannin round this wine nicely. Fresh acidity and marked salinity add to its vibrancy. Well-balanced showing an outstanding purity of expression and persistent length.

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 oak barriques for a further 12 months ageing on fine lees with batonnage. Bottled without any kind of clarification treatment.

Food pairing
Entrecote steak, slow-cooked lamb, suckling pig, BBQ and grilled meats, porcini mushrooms, Jerusalem artichokes, hard cheeses, olives, jamón de pata negra.