Suertes del Marques 7 Fuentes 2021

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

Wine Advocate 93+ points! James Suckling 92 points!

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. Practicing organic.

Suertes del Marques 7 Fuentes is a blend of Listan Negro 90%; Tintilla 10%. Expressive nose showing aromas of blackberry, black currant, lavender, black pepper, ginger and smoke. It is fruity and nicely balanced in the mouth with ripe and round tannins and a lingering finish.

“This year they merged the 7 Fuentes and 7 Fuentes El Lance into a single cuvée of Listán Negro and 5% Castellana Negra, so it has grapes from more vineyards, 30 different ones. It fermented with 20% full clusters in concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured for 11 months, 50% in concrete and 50% in used 500-liter oak barrels; then it was blended and kept in stainless steel for a further eight months. It has 12.63% alcohol and good acidity and freshness. This is quite approachable and less reductive and at the same time fresher. They have been working to increase the pH of the soil to get less reduction in the wines; each year as the soils are healthier, there is less reduction in the wines. 50,400 bottles produced.”—Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate, 93+ points!

Enjoy Suertes del Marques 7 Fuentes over the next 4-5 years with tapas, roast pork, grilled burgers and aged cheeses.