We love counterpoints. Small heresies. Experiments. They enrich the world of wine.
Manuel Valenzuela’s Andalusian Pinot Noir is a perfect example. It also demonstrates that even the most delicate grape variety can yield an extraordinary wine when stripped of its usual context and shaped by the hands and vision of an exceptional winemaker.
In 1996, Manuel Valenzuela decided to plant a small parcel of his estate with Pinot Noir. He established 1400 vines in soil composed of schist and clay, situated at 1300 meters above sea level. Cool nights and constant ventilation were intended to give this sun-sensitive variety vibrancy and energy.
Beyond that, he adhered to his usual philosophy. He relied on manual labor, organic preparations, and the natural resistance of his vines, avoiding everything typically advocated by the agro-industrial complex.
After meticulous hand selection, the grapes, including their stems, were placed in stainless steel tanks for spontaneous fermentation. The wine was then aged for two years in used barriques. True to Valenzuela’s principles, El Pino Rojo was neither fined, filtered, nor sulfured.
Style
Floral notes, deep dark red fruit, herbs, and balsamic undertones. A departure from the familiar but no less complex. Inviting and approachable. Taut and elegant (a reflection of the cool nights), yet also powerful and textured. Soft yet present tannins. Compact and enduring.
Other Voices
“It’s the aromas. The length. The finesse and presence. The extraordinary method of production. The natural approach. El Pino Rojo is brilliant.”
– Juan Fernandez-Cuesta, Guia de Vinos ABC
“Manuel Valenzuela’s convictions are rooted in honesty, authentic taste, and hard work. Whether his varieties are indigenous or from far afield, they all reflect the nuances of his terrain…”
– Joan Gómez Pallarés, El Pais Seminal
Technical Sheet
- Variety: Pinot Noir
- Plant Protection: Only sulfur, copper, and plant- or animal-based preparations; not certified
- Vineyard: 1 ha, schist and clay soils
- Harvest: Handpicked
- Fermentation: Spontaneous | Wild yeasts, whole cluster fermentation (grapes with stems) in stainless steel tanks
- Aging: 2 years in used barriques
- Filtration: No
- SO₂: Unsulfured
- Alcohol: 15%
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
- Optimal Drinking Window: Now – 2035
- Volume and Price per Liter: 0.75 l (€24.87/l)
