Tasting Notes
The estate was established in 1999 in San Martín de Valdeiglesias on the Madrid side of the Sierra de Gredos, at around 870 to 900 metres altitude. Winemaker Isabel Galindo, one of the pioneers of the new Gredos Garnacha movement, tends 21 hectares of old-vine Garnacha and Albillo Real — some vines over a century old — on sandy granitic soils in goblet-pruned bush form, dry-farmed without irrigation. Organic certified since the 2017 harvest. The estate is inside a Special Protection Area for birds; the surrounding juniper, rosemary and scrubland leave their trace in the wines. Initio is the estate's signature wine: Garnacha from the Montazgo, San Martín and Centenera parcels, all vines 60 years old and above, some over a century. Cold maceration for one week; native fermentation over three weeks; 14 months in French oak (30% new, 70% used); bottled without fining or filtration. Deep ruby; dark cherry, dark plum, tobacco, Asian spice, graphite, fine mineral dust; medium to full body, well-integrated tannins, long refreshing finish. The 2017 is now eight years old. Good with lamb, grilled beef, wild boar, slow-cooked pork and aged hard cheeses.
Details:
- Grape variety: Garnacha (100%), Montazgo, San Martín and Centenera parcels, 60–100+ year-old bush vines, sandy granitic soils, ~900m, San Martín de Valdeiglesias; Madrid DO; certified organic (since 2017 harvest); no fining; no filtration; 2017 vintage (8 years old)
- Vinification: 1-week cold maceration; native fermentation; 3 weeks; no fining; no filtration
- Aging: 14 months French oak (30% new, 70% used); drink now to 2032; decant
- Organoleptic description: Deep ruby; dark cherry, tobacco, dark plum, Asian spice, graphite; medium-full body, integrated tannins, long mineral finish
- Food pairing: Lamb, grilled beef, wild boar, slow-cooked pork, aged hard cheeses
