The Jaral is Torcuato Huerta's magnum opus. It is a wine that shows that even in Spain it is a good idea to occasionally leave the beaten track between Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat to try out wines from lesser-known regions. Torcuato owns three hectares of land in the north of the Sierra Nevada, where he cultivates an astonishing 21 grape varieties. The vines for the Jaral - Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot - are all found in a vineyard located on a plateau at an altitude of 1050 metres, which is sunny all day but can become cold and inhospitable at night.
The work is done almost exclusively by hand. His approach is in line with that of Manuel Valenzuelas from Barranco Oscuro, with whom Torcuato has spent many days together and had many conversations. Systematic pesticides and herbicides are obviously not used, and due to the extremely dry conditions, he can also do without copper.
He ferments his grapes spontaneously in the cellar. He does not clarify, filter or add SO2 at any time. After 22 days of maceration, he presses the grapes and ages the wine for 12 months in barrique barrels.
Due to the altitude and the cold nights, the Jaral has an astonishing freshness by southern Spanish standards, which, together with grippy and tightly woven tannins, defines the structure. The aromas range from pepper and macchi notes to dark fruit and undergrowth flavours. The texture is dense and full-bodied, the finish is powerful and youthful. Only at the beginning of its career.
Data sheet
- Grape varieties: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Grenache (Garnacha)
- Plant protection: only sulphur, copper and plant or animal-based preparations, not certified
- Vineyard: at an altitude of 1050 metres
- Harvest: by hand
- Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, 22-day maceration in small wooden barrels
- Ageing: 1 year in small, used wooden barrels
- Filtration: no
- SO₂: no SO2 added
- Alcohol: 14%
- Closure: Natural cork
- Drinking temperature: 15-17°C
- Perfect drinking maturity: from now - 2030
- Bottle format: 0,75l
All winegrowers listed with Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertiliser and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
