Envinate - A Harmonious Release
The release is surely the producer’s best suit of wines in some years, with the common theme across all wines (white and red) being one of elegance, fine mouthfeel, integrated acids and general ‘harmony’ across the range. The notes below from Luis Guttierez say it all, really.
While 15 wines were tried, we have distilled this down to our favourite nine, breaking the offer down between wines od the Canary Islands and wines of Galicia (with the only outlier being the insanely delicious and quaffable Albahara, which we lead-off with (this wine is made in the south-east of Spain and is predominantly Garnacha Tintorera aka Alicante Bouchet - outrageously enjoyable at a great entry price-point).
In Galicia, the reds are composed and alive. The entry Lousas Mencia is not to be missed, while the Rosende and Doad appear more closed and tight, ideally needing 1-2 years in the cellar or a good decant before serving. Interestingly, Parcela Seone (a single vineyard wine) had the openness and approachability of the entry level red.
In the Canaries, and more specifically the island of Tenerife, the wines sing of their volcanic outpost in the Atlantic Ocean. Across the whites and reds, there is a distinctive rocky/mineral undertow which in a vintage like 2023, works beautifully with pretty, detailed fruit that lends some plushness to an otherwise linear and fine-boned palate. Without trying to sound too high-brow, these are intellectual wines – wines that make you think – but they’re also just plain delicious ands enjoyable.
Note: always decant these if you can!
Ches Cook, Five Way Cellars.
Envinate ‘Taganan’ Tinto 2023
The 2023 Táganan Tinto comes from a very good vintage in the zone of Taganana, a very complete year with enough rain and perfect textbook conditions. They picked the grapes from Taganana later than the ones from La Orotava. It fermented without temperature control with more maceration. It's a year of concentration, depth, elegance, freshness and finesse. The finest vintage for this bottling to date. I feel a lot less reduction here. 6,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2024. Drink 2025 - 2032 96 pts, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate
Envinate 'Lousas Rosende' Mencia 2023
The 2023 Lousas Parcela Rosende, despite its youth, is showing superbly. This feels different, perhaps a little more Rhône-ish, with a meaty edge. It's beautifully textured and elegant, with more weight than the lighter 2022, more serious and with more depth and structure. It has 12.5% alcohol. There should be around 3,300 bottles of this. It should be bottled in November 2024. Drink 2025 - 2035 96-98 pts, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate.
