Arlanza is a tiny wine producing region in Spain that is one of the freshest regions that has been labeled DO status. This lush region produces quality wines, although it is small in size. In 2007, the region was given the upgrade, although wine is said to have been produced in the region ever since the 7th century. It is said that the first recorded evidence of winemaking in the region is in the 12th century by monks who bought the vineyards in the region. In the late part of the 1800s, disease ravaged the vines, and the grapes had to be replanted. Soon after, the vines flourished. The region’s name comes from the Arlanza River, which snakes through this Spanish region.
The climate is hot and dry in the summer and is cold during the winter, and gives wines here their signature flavor. The Arlanza region sits in Burgos, Castile, Leon, and Palencia regions of Spain and there are currently 11 wineries in the region. Several varieties are planted in the region and the region has a yield limit for these varieties—giving roughly 10,000 kg for white wine grape types and around 7,000 for red wine grape types. Since the region is small, the lowest number of vines that can be planted is 2,000 vines.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, teamed with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup to produce this limited release wine.
With its intense color and inviting aromas of dark berries, licorice, baking spice and a hint of smoke, the Pedestal is a bold wine that leaves a lasting impression. Dark fruit flavors integrated with sweetness from the barrel and richness from the tannins come together seamlessly, lingering across a structured mid-palate and lengthy finish.
Winemaking: Hand-harvested grapes were double-sorted to remove green material that might impart harsh tannins, then most of the lots were cold soaked to build richness and flavor before undergoing whole-berry fermentation in 55L upright French wood tanks. This, combined with gentle pump-overs throughout fermentation, enhanced the wine’s color, texture and mouthfeel. The finished wine was aged 22 months in 85% new French oak barrels.
Review:
"I loved the 2014 Pedestal Merlot and it’s 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers a downright voluptuous and incredibly sexy style in its ripe black currants, toasted spice, chocolate and licorice aromas and flavors. Broad, expansive, layered and pleasure bent, with ripe tannin, it's a knockout Merlot that's going to have 10-15 years of drinkability. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 95 pts
Luis XIV Vino Noble is a naturally sweet red wine, made from very late Monastrell harvests. All of its sugar and alcohol comes from the grape itself and has been subjected to a long aging in semi-new American oak barrels. In the mouth it is very intense, sweet without cloying, with aromas of stewed plums and a very long finish of spicy oak wood. RATING: Noble Alicante sweet wine