Suertes del Marques Trenzado 2021

Valle de la Orotava DO, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Wine Advocate 94 points! Wine & Spirits 95 points! (both ratings on the 2020 vintage)

The Canary Islands, located off the coast of Morocco but technically a part of Spain, form a backdrop for some of the most unlikely yet wondrous vineyards for producing fine wines in the entire world. Visiting the vineyards of Suertes del Marques is like going back in time. The varietal mix here is like a treasury of lost and little know grapes: Listan Negro and Blanco, Malvasia Rosado, Vijariego, Baboso Negro and more, about 80% red and 20% white. Given the extremely special nature of what Suertes del Marques possesses, proprietor Jonatan Garcia Lima works all his vineyards organically and all by hand and with the utmost care and respect for nature and the history. And from these amazing and unique vineyards, he endeavors to make fresh, tensile and mineral driven wines that showcase the volcanic soils and the native varieties.

The grapes come from many different plots of very old vines planted in volcanic soils - many ungrafted and over 100 years old. The vines are cordon trenzado or braided - this is a traditional method of viticulture on Tenerife. The wine ages for 9 months in 500 liter used French oak foudres.

“The white 2020 Trenzado was produced with Listán Blanco (and 2% Torrontés Volcánico) grapes from six vineyards from local growers in the western part of the valley on poor volcanic soils harvested even earlier than ever (every year seems to be a record!) Putting your nose in the glass is like smelling a volcano, smoky and leesy. The palate is serious, fresh and harmonious, pungent, with tasty, almost salty notes. There is no heat at all in the wine, and the quality is great—the same as before but with more production. It should develop nicely in bottle. 29,000 bottles were produced, a big jump in volume. It was bottled in August 2021. Drink 2022-2027.”—Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate, 94 points! (2020 vintage)

“If this wine is any indication, 2020 is the vintage to stock up on from Suertes del Marques. This is an extraordinary wine, made more compelling by its $26 price. It is a blend of fruit from growers in the Orotava valley, created when the volcanic rock fell away, leaving a steep hillside facing mostly north into the trade winds. Those elements combine in a wine with plenty of volcanic soill reduction, the most elegant kind of stink, here layered with yellow plum, lime and orange richness. Then the finish is bathed in minerals. Supple now, despite its reduction, this needs years to fully realize its potential.” - Wine & Spirits 95 points! (2020 vintage)

Enjoy Suertes del Marques Trenzado over the next 6-8 years with tapas, grilled swordfish, roast chicken and soft cheeses.