FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

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RIOJA Sajazarra is in the far north-west of Rioja Alta, its vines grow on the southern slopes of the Obarenes mountains (which separates La Rioja from the northern coast), in chalky clay soil, between 500 and 700metres above sea level and with a north-south orientation. Trained along trellises, with no irrigation, the vines growwithout the use of herbicides, chemical fertilisers or systemic pesticides, ensuring the grapes and their skins mature optimally, as well as with the utmost respect for the environment. The altitude of the vineyards is significant here. With rising global temperatures, the diurnal range at 700m is significant enough to ward off the excesses of summer heat. On top of this, the Obarenes mountains have highly calcerous-clay soils so the wines aremore mineral and have higher acidity. These two factors create fresh and elegant wines in an increasingly hot region that stands the estate apart from irrigated Rioja wines that are found in Rioja Baja / Oriental. To balance their low intervention farming practices requires a lot of vineyard labour. Canopymanagement is carried out, such as removing laterals (new buds) and suckering (removing shoots fromprevious years), as well as removing some leaves and grapes, always striving to achievemaximum exposure to the wind and sun, improve themicroclimate at cluster level and adjust production to the required level of quality. The estate specialises in their use of Graciano, a grape with naturally high acidity and late ripening. Their Crianza contains 9%Graciano and they are one of the few estates tomake a 100%Graciano wine, Digma; a rare and powerful beast. Castillo de Sajazarra

DIGMA, GRACIANORESERVA RIOJA 2011 DRINK2018 - 2029

6x75 £162

A rare beast. The colour is deep and dark, the nose beautifully perfumed, verymaraschino cherry! Such fine tannins on the palate, lovely strawberry sweetness and real charm. Extremely long.

RIOJA

CLASSIC GRAPE VARIETALS Tempranillo and Garnacha.

FAVOURITE PRODUCERS

Lopez de Heredia, Marques de Murrieta, Rioja Alta, CVNE and Sajazarra.

AREA UNDER VINE 63,600ha

SOIL TYPE Limestone and clay.

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WINE CATALOGUE