Raúl Moreno La Escencia 2023

Blackberries, red and black cherries, blackcurrents, rosehip and forest floor. Complex with a long finish of rhubarb and dried sage. Energetic, focused and mineral, with bright acidity and a zesty character. Very, very drinkable.

Country: Spain Region: Cadiz  Grape: Palomino, Tintilla, Baga, PX, Arinto
ABV: 11.5%

Raúl Moreno Yagüe is an innovative Cádiz winemaker exploring the region's traditional grape, particularly Palomino and other rare varieties, through distinctive, small-scale wines that combine local heritage with experimentation. He's a highly experienced international sommelier, educator, viticulturist and winemaker who has spent decades accumulating experience around the world and has brought that knowledge back to Jerez, where he's applying it to old vines and traditional Andalusian varieties in unconventional ways.

Raúl Moreno’s approach is quite unusual for the Jerez region. Rather than concentrating exclusively on traditional fortified Sherry, he works with unfortified "vinos de pasto", old local varieties and unusual winemaking techniques. His wines can involve skin fermentation, amphora, flor ageing and used Manzanilla and Amontillado barrels, as well as varieties and techniques inspired by his international experience.

Two unlined, 1000L 'clay pots' used for co-fermentation of all grapes. Whole bunch with light maceration. Mixed together before ageing half in one of the pots and half in stainless.

Grapes from the Pago Carrascal and Pago Miraflores vineyards, both have the white chalky albariza soil; this absorbs the winter rain and traps moisture for the vines during hot summers.