Suertes del Marqués, El Lance, D.O. Valle de la Orotava, red wine, 0.75l

Awards: Robert Parker rated this wine 93 points, confirming its high quality.

Grape variety:
Listán Negro: 70–80% – the main red variety, which gives the wine body, fruity character and tannin structure.
Tintilla: 10–15% – adds depth, dark fruit and spicy notes.
Malvasia: 5–10% – contributes delicate floral aromatics and freshness.
Vijariego: 5% – enriches the wine with a light acidity and delicate minerality.
The exact proportions may vary depending on the harvest and the character of the vintage.

Vineyard:
The grapes come from the vineyards of the Suertes del Marqués winery, located in the Valle de La Orotava area. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 300–750 m and include various types of volcanic soils, which give the wine a mineral character. The vines are trained in the traditional "cordón trenzado" way, which supports low yields and higher-quality grapes. All the vineyards are ungrafted, which is very rare in Europe, and allows the grapes to retain the authentic character of the variety.

Production:
Fermentation takes place spontaneously in concrete vessels of various sizes using native yeasts. The wine then ages for 9 months in small 500-litre French oak barrels. The entire process involves minimal intervention. It is done by hand, from work in the vineyard through to harvest, with limited use of sulphur and no unnecessary racking. The winery places great emphasis on respect for tradition and terroir.

Aroma and taste:
El Lance presents a medium-full body with lively acidity and well-structured tannins. The aroma reveals notes of red fruit, especially cherries and raspberries, complemented by hints of blackcurrant, delicate pepper and mineral notes from the volcanic soil. Ageing in oak brings elegant notes of cedar, delicate cocoa and light spiciness, which blend harmoniously with the fruity character. On the palate the wine is complex and well balanced. The fruit components provide freshness and delicate juiciness, while the tannins give structure and depth. The finish is long, mineral-spicy and very elegant, which allows the wine to be drunk immediately, yet it also has the potential for longer ageing.

Food pairing:
El Lance pairs wonderfully with red meat, roast lamb, game, steaks, charcuterie and mature cheeses. It is recommended to serve it at 16–18 °C, to allow its aromatics and tannin structure to fully develop.

Alcohol content: 12%

Origin: D.O. Valle de La Orotava, Tenerife, 0.75 l