Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tórtolas 2024
Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tórtolas 2024
For the 2023, 2024 not yet rated:
94+pts Wine Advocate
Drink Date: 2026 - 2034
The 2023 Arroyo del Tórtolas is a single-vineyard Garnacha from a north-facing, 80-year-old plot that achieves high ripeness. This year, the wine has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.37 and 5.85 grams of acidity. It fermented with 80% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in four 500-liter used barrels. It has a bright ruby color and a ripe and complex nose without excess, with mixed flowers, herbs and wild berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and has abundant but very supple, fine-grained tannins. 2,300 bottles produced.
Bernabeleva is one of the largest producers in Gredos. They are located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the province of Madrid, where they have 40 hectares of old vines, 70+ years old, and a further five hectares they planted some 15 years ago. The vines are worked organically, and they are starting to carry the certification on their back labels. Low yields, because of poor fruit setting typical of Garnacha, frost and animals eating the grapes, mean that they only produce around 80,000 bottles per year.
In 2023, the wines have contained ripeness and moderate alcohol, with higher acidity than usual. 2024 was, in their own words, "the most challenging year in the vineyard. It rained a lot, but always at the worst possible time for the vines and, consequently, for the grapes." Mildew caused some damage, and frost and animals also took their toll. It was their lowest yield to date. The 2024s have been approachable from early on.
Published: Dec 11, 2025
GRAPE: 100% Grenache, practicing biodynamic, 65+ year-old-vines, single vineyard
VINEYARD: The vineyard is a narrow north facing 1.2 hectare steep hillside. The vines are 65 years old. The granitic soil is shallow and poor in organic matter, and therefore very unfertile. The changing features of the soil along the slope, as it comes closer to the Tórtolas stream, make us harvest in two stages. This plot is one of the first in ripening of our vineyards.
WINEMAKING: Vinification takes place in wooden tanks with a percentage of stems that depends on the vintage. The wine is trodden daily, either by foot or with the rammer.
AGING: French oak barriques that range from 225 to 600 liters, where the wine remains as long as necessary, always over 11 months.
