Compañia de Vinos del Atlántico 'Gordo' 2020
'Gordo' is Patrick Mata's affectionate name for his father, Jose Mata. For almost four generations, Patrick's family produced wine in Malaga, Montilla, Sanlucar, Rioja and other Spanish regions. These wines were sold in many countries, including the US, before and after prohibition. During the 1960s, the demand of Malaga wines suffered greatly, which ultimately resulted in the Mata winery closing its doors in 1972. 'Gordo' pays tribute to the Mata winemaking heritage and, specifically, to Patrick's father. The Gordo label is a replica of one of the family labels from the late 1800s. Today, after a few decades, Patrick and Alberto through Vinos Atlantico are resurrecting their family heritage and producing wines in many regions throughout the Iberian Peninsula, including this rich yet elegant blend of Monastrell and Cabernet from the southeast of Spain.
Gordo showcases the brilliant quality of the Mourvèdre grape from this sunny appellation. The wine boasts an opaque ruby/purple color along with notes of lead pencil shavings, blackberries, black raspberries and a hint of blueberries. The sensational fruit characteristics are pure, as well as vivid. This full-bodied, opulent, stunningly savory, expansively flavored wine can be drunk over the next 2-3 years.
Harvest takes place in the cool, early morning hours. The best bunches are selected and undergo a gentle crush. Whole clusters with stems undergo maceration at a cool temperature (59 F). Each grape variety is fermented separately. After fermentation, the skins and stems are kept together in a post-fermentation extended maceration for seven days. Malolactic fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks. After aging for three months in oak barrels that are two years old, the Monastrell and Cabernet are blended. The wine is bottled after one month in the tanks.
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Varietal Composition | 70% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation | Yecla |
| Designation | DO |
| Alcohol | 14.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 1100 |
| Country of Origin | SPAIN |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Deep purple to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of cassis, blackberry, anise and rose petal. A floral note makes its way to the palate, where it underlies fruit of the wood, licorice, milk chocolate, and star anise notes. Velvet tannins and a splash of orange zest endure into the smooth finish. - Wine Enthusiast, 91 pts
The vineyards are located within the Yecla DO in Zone 8, within Murcia in southeastern Spain. The vineyards are in the Campo Arriba district of Yecla, at 713 meters (2,339 ft) elevation. Monastrell is also known as Mourvèdre in France and Mataro in Italy. Yecla's higher altitude makes it significantly cooler than neighboring Jumilla, and the resulting wines are more aromatic, with a fresh, easy-to-drink character. The soils are composed of limestone and chalk with clay and gravel subsoils that are poor in organic matter. Due to the poor soils, the vines have low vigor and yields are a low two kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of fruit per vine, producing smaller berries with a higher skin-to-juice ratio. These grapes fashion wines with greater concentration and complexity in aromas. For climate, the average temperature from May through October is 66 F, with only 13 inches of rain per year. This area receives a high amount of sunshine (3,893 hours per year).
