Vinas del Cenit Blanco Field Blend Las Contiesas

Viñas del Cenit is situated in Villanueva de Campeán on the left bank of the Duero, which flows through Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro before reaching this area (Tierra del Vino de Zamora) - and then entering neighbouring Portugal.

Bodegas Viñas del Cenit produces old-vine Tempranillo. With some of the vines 180 years old, and the youngest 35 years old, they are low-yielding, un-trained and many are un-grafted.

As you would expect from such ancient vines, the fruit is concentrated and intense, producing wines with complexity, longevity and pureness of fruit.

Dona Blanca, Palomino, Godello

Sourced from an old vineyard cultivated with both red and white varieties. The 80-100 year old vines grow in clay soils at 800 metres altitude.

The white grapes - predominantly Doña Blanca, alongside Palomino, Godello, Albilllo Mayor and Verdejo - are hand-harvested. After whole bunch pressing and spontaneous fermentation the wine is aged for 3 months on fine lees, and for a further 3 in used French oak barrels.

This pushes the boundaries of Spanish white wine, it has fantastic nerve, elegance and purity The fact that it is a Field Blend is a link to the past, but the winemaking is perfect for the present day.

Mineral and elegant nose, gentle citrus aromatics with hints of fennel. Dry and focused palate with a gentle smokiness from the careful reductive winemaking, and long length and concentration.

Great to enjoy with a 'meaty' fish such as Monkfish, scallops and crab.

Max - Hailing from the D.O. Tierra del Vino de Zamora (translates to Land of Wine) which sits on the western end of the Duero river, just before it crosses into Portugal. Both wines are Field Blends (a viticulture term that I won’t delve into here, but it is cool, so feel free to ask about it). The Tradicíon is labelled as a Clarete and consists both red and white grapes from old vines. Constiesas undergoes reductive wine making processes that add a slight smokiness, long length and concentrated flavours.