Marques De Grinon Brochure

Press
In the
Spain
Caliza
Syrah
“... 70% Syrah and 30% Petit Verdot ... one or two years in
French barriques. ... striking bouquet of bacon fat and smoke
that soars .... medium-bodied with grippy, dry tannins and a
core of dusty red fruit. ... good weight towards the masculine, structured finish with mulberry and cedar lingering in
the mouth. ... modestly priced wine with grand ambitions.”
“... from Dominio de Valdepusa ... one year in French new
oak. ... slightly bretty, animally ... scents of loganberry, sloe
and dark plum. ... medium-bodied with a pastille-like entry.
Notes of dark cherry, orange zest and Dorset plum lead to a
light, crisp finish.”
88pts Wine Advocate, October 2012 (Vintage 2008)
*
D.O. Dominio de Valdepusa
91pts Wine Spectator, October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
Dominio de Valdepusa is located
in Malpica de Tajo, Toledo, and has
been owned by the Marques de
Griñon family since 1292. Granted
its own Denominacion de Origen in
2002, recently the D.O has been
recognized as the first official “Vino
de Pago” of the country setting
exemplary quality standards. The
D.O. Dominio de Valdepusa is
imbued with history, royalty,
academia, and fine art. Dating back
to 1292, the land and the Pagos de
Familia Marquis de Grinon has
origins rooting back to kings,
military, patrons of the arts, and
even connections to the publication
of the very first Spanish grammar
book and Spanish-Latin dictionary.
A bust of Charles V, Holy Roman
Emperor sculpted by the highly
regarded medalist, Pompeo Leoni
is on display in the reception area
of the Mirabel Palace belonging to
the Falco family, where the eldest
Falco daughter is Marquesa of
Mirabel as well as Marketing
Director of the winery.
5/13
92pts Wine Spectator, July 2012 (Vintage 2005)
“Focused yet dense, this modern red exhibits vibrant
currant, licorice, black pepper and smoke flavors. Stays lithe
and lively.”
“This alluring red delivers intense flavors of licorice,
mineral, black cherry and black pepper in a silky texture,
dense yet lithe. Turns gamy and sanguine on the finish,
where this remains fresh and balanced.”
90pts Wine Advocate, June 2011 (Vintage 2007)
Petit Verdot
“...Toasty black fruits, violets, espresso, and licorice inform
the bouquet of this dense, purple/black, layered wine.
...savory blackberry and blueberry flavors, moderate
tannin, and plenty of spice, especially pepper. This wellproportioned wine is surprisingly light on its feet and an
outstanding value to boot.”
D.O. Dominio de Valdepusa
88pts Wine Advocate, October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
90pts Wine Spectator May 2013 (Vintage 2007)
“A savory mix of loam, toast and black olive notes deepens
the plum and mineral flavors in this muscular red. The
grippy tannins give way to notes of plum and lilac on the
surprisingly delicate finish. Austere, but well-knit.”
88pts Wine Advocate,October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
SVmma VarietaliS
90pts Wine Enthusiast, November 2012 (Vintage 2005)
“This modern-leaning blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
and Petit Verdot feels like a padded vise, with demanding
tannins and blackberry, toast and coffee flavors.”
90pts Wine Advocate October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
“... 10 to 14 months in French barriques. ... a ripe,
vanilla-scented bouquet ... oak juts out from the fruit profile.
... medium-bodied with soft, supple tannins. ... elegant
raspberry and crushed strawberry notes towards the finish,
the aftertaste laced with cloves. ... elegant ... very natural.”
90pts Wine Advocate, June 2011 (Vintage 2005)
“...pleasing perfume of wood smoke, game, licorice,
espresso, blueberry, and blackberry leading to a medium
to full-bodied wine with outstanding volume, ... layered,
savory flavors. It will offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2020,
perhaps longer.”
“... fresh, clean nose of dark cherries and blackberry, ... The
palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins….”
92pts Wine Advocate, June 2011 (Vintage 2006)
“...brooding black fruits, spices, and licorice aromas and
flavors in its compelling perfume. ...game, bacon, and exotic
spices emerge leading to a lengthy, pure finish lasting for
45-seconds. Without a track record for longevity (the first
vintage of this wine was in 1994), it is difficult to know how
it might age but the wine’s depth and balance suggest that 20
years is not out of the question.”
91pts Wine Spectator May 2013 (Vintage 2007)
“Smooth and silky, this red delivers savory flavors of black
olive and tobacco, with a core of plum and dried cherry fruit.
Maturing harmoniously, the wine shows softening tannins
and a smoky finish.”
88pts Wine Advocate, October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
“... a dusky nose of blackberry, licorice and dried blood with
fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty
tannins and good weight….”
90pts Wine Spectator, July 2012 (Vintage 2005)
“...cassis, licorice and tar in a thick texture, ... firm, slightly
gritty tannins. Smooth yet muscular, ... match nicely with
gamy foods.”
emeritVS
90pts Wine Spectator May 2013 (Vintage 2007)
“This focused red is polished and harmonious, delivering
black cherry, currant, tobacco, lead pencil and mineral
flavors over firm, well-integrated tannins. The acidity is
gentle, but this wine stays fresh through the savory finish.”
“... a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Petit Verdot and
5% Syrah raised in new and one-year old French oak for 20
to 24 months. ... a very broody nose that is lavished in new
oak, which rather obscures the fruit that is underneath. ...
very smooth on the entry and it has a velvety texture….”
90pts Wine & Spirits, October 2012 (Vintage 2005)
“Ripe and concentrated with black fig flavors, this is
substantial and rich. It’s monumental in structure, setting out
to be a steak house favorite.”
90pts Wine Spectator, July 2012 (Vintage 2005)
“Black cherry, mineral, light herbal and licorice notes ... light
yet dense, with well-integrated tannins and just enough acidity to keep it lively...”
In 2000, fellow producers of single estate wines founded an association to energetically promote and educate consumers
and the trade about the estate concept, or pago in Spanish. At first the group was called the Grandes Pagos de Castilla.
In 2003 the group renamed itself Grandes Pagos de España and today it has more than 20 members.
IMPORTING, DISTRIBUTING
IMPORTED BY WINEBOW INC., NEW YORK, NY
AND DEVELOPING PREMIUM WINES AND SPIRITS FOR
M
arques de Griñon, housed in
Owned by the Falcó family since 1292, a family
historical 18th century buildings,
with ancient royal lineage, the Estate is covered by 50
home to royalty and nobility, is
ha of vineyards, 30 of which are planted with
located at the family estate,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot and
Dominio de Valdepusa is in Malpica de Tajo, 50
Syrah, the balance of 650 ha is a pristine land
kilometers from Toledo, within the historic area of
composed of a diverse ecosystem covered in local
Señorio de Valdepusa close to the Pusa River. The
89pts Wine Advocate October 2012 (Vintage 2007)
Cabernet SauVignon
Uniting Sustainability,Organic Practices
MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
1 . 8 0 0 . W I N E B O W • W I N E B O W. C O M
Valdepusa region is set apart from other regions as the
vineyard elevation is one of the highest in Spain at
1,608 feet above sea level and the top layer of soil is
almost pure limestone – similar to Burgundy, which
sparked the hiring of French consulting winemaker
Michel Roland. The winemaking legend, Michel
varieties of oaks, wild olive trees, brush, wild thyme
and rosemary which contribute to the overall
complexity and personality of the single estate. The
family believes in the characteristics of the terroir and
“does its utmost to transmit the terroir characteristics
to their grapes, including the soil’s physical, mineral
and biological characteristics.”
Marques de Griñon earned its own Dominio de
Roland, has been the consulting winemaker at Griñon
Valdepusa D.O. designation in 2002, recently the D.O
since 1990. The innovations of M. Roland, harvesting
has been recognized as the first official “Vino de Pago”
techniques, gravity fed tanks, hand destemming
of the country. The “Vino de Pago” designation
and the abandonment of fining and filtration, have
is the highest designation a Spanish winery can
given the wines a popular concentrated style.
receive which sets exemplary quality standards.
Philosophies and Practices
Sustainability has always been an essential part
of the operating philosophy. Since the first
modern day planting of international varietals in
1974 the objective has been to create wines that
are a true expression of the natural and cultural
sustainable, organic and even biodynamic
practices
have
been
adopted,
such
as
understanding how the soil’s microflora and fauna
have a direct effect on the personality of the
wines -maximizing minerality.
The microclimate and dry growing season
naturally reduces the incidents of disease, the
lanes between the vines are never tilled creating
a haven for local grasses and herbs. The minimal
use of tractors diminishes the overall carbon
foot print. Techniques such as underground
drip-irrigation and mulching restrict the growth of
grass directly under the vines minimizing the use
of herbicides and drastically reducing water
Marques de Griñon
environment. Traditional elements linked to
Caliza
Cabernet SauVignon
Syrah
Caliza is named for the soil
profile of these vineyards which
means limestone in Spanish. Made
with 65% Syrah and 35% Petite
Verdot from 15 year old vines is
hand harvested and aged for 9-12
months in 1-2 year old French
barriques plus 7 months in bottle.
Caliza is deep purple in color with
glistening cherry hues. Aromas
that are alluringly fruity and
powerful, reminiscent of lush
raspberries and ripe, black
cherries with a touch of cinnamon.
On the palate, it is beautifully
full-bodied and fresh with a silky
structure and a textured long
lasting finish. Caliza pairs well
with game birds and poultry and
is ideal with most Mediterranean
dishes, especially pasta, risottos,
and cheese.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is
made from the original vineyards
planted in the early 1970’s. Hand
harvested and aged for 12-14
months in French barriques with
an additional 12 months in bottle.
This Cabernet Sauvignon bursts
from the glass with intense
aromas of black cherries, wild
red fruits and spices, with
notes of cinnamon, tobacco
and chocolate. On the palate it
expands to reveal a full-bodied
wine with outstanding depth
of fruit. Well structured, with
round soft tannins. An ideal
accompaniment to red meat,
lamb and cheeses.
Made with 100% Syrah
planted in 1991 this is Spain's
pioneering single-vineyard
Syrah, demonstrating that Spain
can compete internationally
in a world class arena. Hand
harvested and aged for 12-14
months in French barriques
with an additional 12 months
in bottle. Attractively dark
purple color with complex
aromas of jammy blackberries,
violets, cassis, and freshly
ground white pepper. In the
mouth it has a smooth velvety
texture and an intense fruit core
of blackberries, with accents of
game, mineral and toast. Good
underlying acidity provides
vibrancy and a spectacular rich
and prolonged finish.
Carlos Falcó
Fernandez de Córdova
The Pioneer and Innovator of Dominio de Valdepusa
Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova, is a pioneer in the
modernization of vine growing and winemaking in Spain. He holds
an agricultural engineering degree from the University of Louvain in
Belgium and graduated from the University of California (Davis).
Carlos Falcó has an ancient lineage, the Marques de Griñon title has
been in the family since the 14th century. He is a grandee of Spain,
the highest level amongst Spanish nobility. He is also Vice President
of the Spanish Gastronomical Academy as well as President of
the Castilla La Mancha chapter. In 1974 he introduced Spain to
the Syrah and Petit Verdot and La Mancha to Cabernet Sauvignon,
the first step in a series of daring pioneering innovations. His
accomplishments include Spain’s first high canopy management
(the plants are guided in high trellises) vineyards with drip irrigation
consumption.
as well as a partial root drying system devised for planting Syrah
Modest amounts of water required for the
and Petit Verdot, he was also the first to implement night time
deficit irrigation comes from the Pusa River which
grape harvesting. In 1999 he published his first book, Entender de
flows through the estate making it unnecessary to
Vino (ed. Martinez Roca), which is in its 11th edition and has won
access ground water. Everything is done to help
several national and international awards.
the vines achieve balance to produce perfectly
mature grapes that reflect as faithfully as possible
the complex and unique terroir.
Vino de Pago:
This quality standard was first introduced in 2003, referring
to wines from single vineyards with special characteristics.
A “Pago” is a land mass with indigenous vegetation
determined by the areas soil type and microclimate that
differentiates itself from the surrounding environment. The
site must have historically produced wines of exceptional
quality and the single vineyard name should have been in
use for at least five years. The single vineyard site must
be smaller than the communal or municipal boundary
within which it is located and there must be a quality control
SVmma VarietalS
Petit Verdot
emeritVS
SVMMA is a Latin word
commonly used as addition or
compendium of knowledge
which refers to the knowledge
two generations of the Falcó family
put into this wine. 60% Syrah, 25%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 15%
Petite Verdot from 15 year old
vines is hand harvested and aged
for 12-14 months in 1-2 year old
French barriques plus 18 months
in bottle. Deep ruby red in color
with purple hues. This satin-textured wine has an elegant nose of
pepper, clove, smoke and rich dark
berries. Packed with layers of wild
red fruits amidst mineral and spicy
notes, complex wine with plenty
of ripe fruit backed up by soft
tannins, with a remarkable
fruit-filled finish and balance.
Made from 100% Petit Verdot
planted in 1992, this is Spain's
pioneering single-vineyard
Petite Verdot that often sets the
benchmark for wines produced
from this varietal. Hand harvested
and aged for 12-18 months in
French barriques with an
additional 12 months in bottle.
This wine is deep red in color
and has complex floral and noble
wood aromas including essences
of ripe fruit, licorice and freshly
ground pepper. Flavors of ripe
spicy black cherry, cassis, espresso,
licorice and minerals evolve on the
palate. Exhibits excellent depth
and a beautifully concentrated
and textured long finish.
EMERITVS means deserving
in Latin and is produced only
in the best vintages as the purest
expression of the Dominio
de Valdepusa terroir. Hand
harvested and made with 50%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit
Verdot, and 20% Syrah, aged
for 20-24 months in French
barriques with an additional
17 months in bottle. Blending
takes place after the first year of
barrique aging. This wine is a
combination of the best estate
varietals. Deep cherry in color
with an intense and expansive
nose. On the palate this wine is
powerful with an excellent tannic
structure and a broad and substantial palate of ripe fruit and
wild berries complimented by an
elegant and lingering finish.
Julio
Mourelle
Family
Estate Winemaker
Julio Mourelle was raised in La Coruña (Galicia) Spain. He holds
a BS in pharmacology from the University of Santiago (Spain)
where he majored in Plant/Physiology. Julio earned his Masters
in Food Science (Viticulture and Oenology) at the University of
California (Davis) where he was tutored by Roger Boulton.
While earning his masters he interned at Stag’s Leap Wine
Cellars and then became the assistant winemaker for Sterling
Vineyards where he was put in charge of experimental wines.
These experiences deeply influenced Julio’s views on wine and
winemaking. In 1995 Julio became the winemaker of Dominio
de Valdepusa working with the unparalleled expertise of con-
system in place that complies at minimum with the
sulting winemaker Michel Rolland. For more than 15 years Julio
regulations for a DOCa.
has been working at Valdepusa contributing to the excellence
in winemaking that has earned the winery the exemplary
reputation it now enjoys.