Nuria Altes, like many other young winemakers in Spain, comes from a family that has been growing grapes for generations. Nuria's new project, Herencia Altes, is tucked away in a remote corner of Catalonia, outside the village of Batea, in Terra Alta, a lesser-known DO. It's remarkable that Terra Alta is one of Catalonia's largest wine-growing regions, yet one that few are aware of—something Nuria has changed. Having grown up in the vineyards tended by her grandfather, Nuria has known these vineyards since childhood. In 2010, she decided to stop selling her fruit to the local cooperative and instead make her own wines. She is supported in this project by her partner, Rafael de Haan, and together they inaugurated a new cellar for the 2016 vintage in her hometown of Batea.
Herencia Altés La Peluda is a wine made with Garnacha Peluda, a variety with a similar maturation to red Grenache, but harvested separately for this wine. Harvesting is done manually, in 18-kilo boxes, with the grapes selected in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 23-26 degrees Celsius with daily pumping. Malolactic fermentation and aging takes place in new 500-liter French and Hungarian oak barrels, where it remains for ten months.
Herencia Altés La Peluda is a fleshy, opulent, and refined wine that erupts ruby red in the glass. Upon pouring, aromas of red fruit, blackberry, and vanilla are immediately released. It is an elegant and refreshing wine. The palate reveals fresh acidity and sweet spices from the oak aging. Núria considers this Garnacha Peluda her Pinot Noir.
