Video Tour
Downloads
Bottleshot - Shelftalker-2013-WineSpectator.pdf - Shelftalker-2016-GuiaPenin.pdf2016 Vintage
99pts
2015 Vintage
95pts
2013 Vintage
97pts
Denominacion de Origen
D.O. Málaga & D.O. Sierras de Málaga
Location
Almáchar, Axarquía, Málaga
Varietal
100% Muscat of Alexandria. The oldest variety in the Muscat family and one of the few remaining genetically unmodified vitis vinifera cultivars remaining in the world today. The Phoenicians transplanted this grape from Alexandria, Egypt to Málaga approximately 2,600 years ago.
Vineyards
El Panderón
Year(s) Planted
1902
Viticulture
Traditional dry farmed viticulture. Practicing organic gobelet (vaso) trained vines. Cultivated completely by hand, with minimal human intervention. The majority of the vines receive no treatments whatsoever. Many of the vineyards are planted directly into the rock (slate) immediately after the phylloxera.
Soils
Mountain vineyards planted without terraces at inclinations of up to 80%. Slate and white quartz soils.
Climate
Extremely dry Mediterranean climate. The Axarquia is at high elevation which results in cool winters with no frost and warm summers. Our vineyard sites are oriented to the north, which protects the vineyards from the prevailing winds, especially during fl
Winemaking
The grapes are arranged one layer deep in small boxes that are stacked in a cool room in the winery for further drying. Rigorous selection of the late harvest, dried grapes on a selection table. The dried grapes are pressed and the must is immediately transferred to one, large format French oak barrel for fermentation and ageing. Due to the incredibly high residual sugar, the must will only ferment to 5% alcohol. 512 grams of residual sugar. 40 kg of grapes required to make one 375 mL bottle.
Aging
40 months sur lie in one large format French oak barrel.
Comments
Incredibly complex. Intense, golden, marmalade-like color. The nose is captivating with aromatics of marmalades and caramelized tropical fruits. Profound concentration and opulence in the mouth followed by an extremely pure, long finish. Esencia is a unique product, made from raisins of the Moscatel de Alejandria. The traditional method of drying the grapes in the sun cooks the natural aromatics of the grapes, so we dry the grapes in the dark in order to preserve the freshness of the aromatics.