Viñátigo Listán Negro Tenerife Islas Canarias DOP 2019

Juan Jesús Méndez began Viñátigo in 1990 primarily to highlight the signature grapes of the Canary Islands—listán blanco and listán negro—though the project quickly grew to include dozens of other neglected varieties from around the archipelago. Out of a decades-long project of research and advocacy, Juan Jesús, together with his wife, Elena Batista, and other colleagues, have gleaned priceless knowledge and tasty wines. Their son, Jorge, who now manages the vineyards, has converted their holdings to organic farming practices. All the grapes for their wines are harvested by hand, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and bottled with minimal additions of sulfur. This cuvée of 100% listán negro comes from ungrafted vines that are over 100 years old. It ages for three months in old French oak barrels. Peppery and smoky on the nose, it shines with ripe black fruit, brightness, and lift. Organically grown, vegan.