Led by a passionate husband-and-wife staff, Montesanco is certainly a undertaking of affection: for the land of Utiel-Requena, for its indigenous grapes and for ‘the nice life’.
María Sancho and Paco Cotino took over a quasi-abandoned vineyard surrounded by rolling hills and outdated vines of Bobal, and launched into a courageous undertaking of restoration that condenses the finca’s vitality and historical past.
A wealthy historical past
What’s now the house of Montesanco was initially generally known as Casa de la Viña (home of the vine), in-built 1882 by Fidel García Berlanga because the manufacturing hub for the five hundred hectares of vines surrounding the vineyard and manor. García Berlanga would go on to turn into mayor of Utiel and president of the council of the area of Valencia. Throughout his tenure he fiercely fought for the pursuits of native wine growers. Fidel’s grandson, then again, turned identified for his inventive genius. Luis García Berlanga is taken into account one of many pioneers of m trendy Spanish cinema, having directed and written iconic titles of the nation’s silver display screen historical past.
The household’s inventive flip, together with the financial and political challenges of the early twentieth century, did result in the demise of Casa de la Viña as a viticultural powerhouse. However its essence and spirit remained, and when María and Paco acquired the property (the constructed construction and 40 hectares of land) its rebirth started.
The couple was taken by the cinematic character of the panorama, the distinctiveness of the prephylloxera Bobal vines (some planted over 140 years in the past) and the imposing great thing about the vineyard. An architect by coaching, Paco immersed himself in a considerate undertaking of restoration and reimagination, preserving key architectural options – together with ten of the unique tile-lined ‘trullos’ (room-sized, underground fermentation chambers) and an exquisite watch tower that served as a dovecote – whereas bringing the area to the twenty first century.
The identical dedication and a focus to element was utilized to the restoration of the vines. Montesanco’s 40 hectares at the moment are licensed natural and managed beneath biodynamic rules. There’s a agency perception within the restoration of the ancestral viticultural information, within the ‘knowledge’ of the outdated vines, and in the necessity to protect biodiversity.
Power of character
María and Paco arrived at Casa de la Viña with twenty years of expertise at their first undertaking, Bodegas Aranleón. With Montesanco they discovered a possibility to delve deeper into the character of the three varieties grown at Casa de La Viña – Bobal, Macabeo and Tempranillo – and to supply extra unique, characterful wines that mirror the lengthy historical past of the vines they hail from.
Unapologetic about favouring a extra conventional, strong fashion, the couple produces a variety with unimaginable character that speaks of their personalities as a lot as of the fantastic thing about the panorama they adopted. They’re additionally experimenting with decrease intervention approaches, aiming to reach at an ever purer expression of the distinctive vineyards they’re now guardians of.
There’s a really explicit poise and calm vitality operating by means of Montesanco’s wines. It may also be felt within the area María and Paco have created, which involves life within the tastings and concert events they host. All of it appears becoming, and virtually inevitable, in a spot so filled with tales and complex particulars.
Three Montesanco wines to know:
Tasted and scored by the Decanter staff
Món Bobal, 2018
Alc 14%; 100% Bobal from centennial vines
Lovely complexity, with intense black and dried fruit lined by oregano, thyme and dried mint. Delicate undertones of forest flooring and tobacco. Excellent tannic construction, each agency and stylish. An underlying citrus zestiness provides freshness and raise.
Món Macabeo, 2021
Alc 13.5%; 100% Macabeo (Viura)
Characterful expression of Macabeo, with a sturdy construction and shocking width on the mid palate. Nicely outlined aromas of lemon and apple blossom are adopted by flavours of fleshy pear, preserved lemon and Golden Scrumptious apple. A nutty and smokey lining provides intrigue and complexity.
Sluggish Món, 2020
Alc 14%; 100% Bobal
Contemporary, lifted and unpretentious with vivid crimson fruit topped by floral notes. The flavours of cranberry, crimson cherries and plums are lined by touches of wildflowers and thyme, actually evocative of the native panorama. Good vitality on the core, with a sure mineral grip and energetic acid raise.
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