2010 Vuelta de Terca

The 2010 Vuelta de Terca is a single vineyard wine from a plot in Elvillar (Alava) on chalky soil with a significant amount of clay grafted on Rupestris du Lot roots in 1924 (which gives the wine a different character to the rest of the vineyards planted on Chasselas roots). It’s made up of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 10% Graciano. 50% to 80% of whole bunches are used depending on the vintage and fermentation is carried out in an oak vat without temperature control and natural yeasts, the same as with all his wines. After 15-20 days of post-fermentative maceration the wine is pressed and transferred to 500-liter oak barrels where malolactic is carried out and the wine ages for two years. Bright cherry-colored, this Vuelta de Terca has a slightly oxidative profile which, believe it or not, disappears with time and air, and perfumed notes of violets and damsons, hay and straw and a pinch of allspice makes its appearance. The palate is medium-bodied with good freshness, high-toned with bright acidity, fresh and supple. 4,000 bottles were produced. Drink 2014-2020. DSG are the initials of David Sampedro Gil, a young winegrower from the 200-resident village of Elvillar in Rioja Alavesa who produces wines under the DSG Vineyards name in Rioja Alavesa, Navarra, Sierra de Francia (Salamanca), Valencia – and Mosel! He owns 5 hectares of new and old vineyards (planted between 1915 and 1999) in Elvillar on chalky and chalk-clay soils which are the source for all the wines he produces here, except the Bhilar brand, which is produced from purchased grapes also from the village of Elvillar and could be considered a negociant wine. His vineyards are worked organically and biodynamically. He told me that he prefers producing whites rather than reds. In both colors he crafts wines of very strong personality. For David Phi, the name phincas represents balance, which for him is the most important characteristic of a wine. Phinca is an invented word and a pun on finca, which means plot of land in Spanish is the equivalent of a Burgundian village wine, mixing grapes from different vineyards from Elvillar in the province of Alava. Imported by HP Selections, LLC, New York, NY; tel. (212) 785-3200; www.hpselections.com