L’Equilibrista 2018 – matured in oak for 14 months – is a spectacular red wine that embodies the traditional character and, at the same time, the innovative spirit of Catalan wines. Seductive and deeply pleasurable, it is rounded, smooth, and full-bodied, with a remarkable freshness.
Born on the slopes of Montserrat (Barcelona), where the vineyards grow under the influence of the Mediterranean and the grapes reach splendid maturity at nearly 300 metres above sea level on calcareous-loam soils, L’Equilibrista 2018 is a limited-production red wine. It is crafted from a blend of 55% Garnacha Tinta, 30% Syrah, and 15% Samsó (the name used for Cariñena in Catalonia). It comes from low-yielding vineyards, with ages ranging from 25 to 50 years, cultivated under ecological and biodynamic principles.
The harvest is carried out manually, with meticulous grape selection in the vineyard itself. After destemming, the alcoholic fermentation takes place with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Once this phase is complete, the wine is racked to allow spontaneous malolactic fermentation to occur. Subsequently, it spends 14 months ageing in bottiles of French Allier and American oak, the latter used for Cariñena (Samsó).
Ca N’Estruc is a family-owned winery located in a unique setting, on the same hillside of Montserrat mountain, within the municipality of Esparreguera (Barcelona). The winery possesses one of the area's oldest estates, dating back to 1574, cultivating 22 hectares of vineyards from which a broad range of young and aged wines, including L’Equilibrista 2018, are produced.
Pairing
Ideal for enjoying with grilled meats, rice dishes, legumes, and spring or autumn mushrooms.
Serving temperature
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
30% Syrah, 55% Garnacha Tinta, 15% Samsó
Type of barrel
225- and 500-litre French Allier and American oak barrels.
Barrel aging time
14 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
Vintage
In L’Equilibrista 2018, the harvest was carried out manually with grape selection in the vineyard, with Garnacha harvested on 17 September, Syrah on 19 September, and Samsó on 5 October, in a careful staggered harvest that aimed to respect the optimal ripeness point of each variety. The work in the field reflects Ca N’Estruc’s meticulous approach to production, focused on preserving fruit quality from the vineyard to the winery.
Winemaking
It is made from Garnacha Tinta, Syrah, and Samsó with a careful and precise vinification process, where the grapes are destemmed before entering stainless steel tanks of 100 to 200 hl, where it ferments with its own yeasts and with daily pump-overs to promote gentle and balanced extraction.
The alcoholic fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature, between 21 and 28 ºC, and once finished, the wine is racked to carry out the malolactic fermentation spontaneously in the same tanks, at 18-20 ºC.
Aging
14 months in 225 and 500 litre barrels of French Allier and American oak for Cariñena (Samsó), from different cooperages.
Description
L’Equilibrista 2018 comes from vineyards situated at 165 metres above sea level, on sun-drenched slopes of Montserrat, where the Mediterranean climate is softened by the protection of the mountain.
Age
Vines aged between 25 and 50 years.
Climate
L’Equilibrista 2018 is born in a Mediterranean environment softened by the protection of Montserrat mountain. The sunny slopes provide good insolation and promote balanced ripening, while the relief moderates the climate and helps to preserve the wine’s freshness.
Viticulture
L’Equilibrista 2018 comes from sustainable and biodynamic viticulture, designed to attain grapes with maximum expression and for those seeking a red wine crafted with great respect for the vineyard. The grapes, of Garnacha Tinta, Syrah, and Samsó, are cultivated in our own vineyards and in controlled plots managed by other local winemakers, on calcareous-loam, calcareous-clay, and calcareous soils with the presence of gravels, with vines aged between 25 and 50 years and a planting density of 4,500 vines per hectare. The harvest is carried out manually, with grape selection happening directly in the vineyard.
View
It has a beautiful and bright garnet colour with ruby reflections.
Nose
On the nose, it is gentle and seductive, with plenty of red and black fruit, reminiscent of blackcurrants, cherries, and plums. As it aerates, notes of tobacco, black pepper, and flowers emerge, along with very light lactonic hints. Everything combines into a very seductive and pleasurable ensemble.
Mouth
On the palate, it is round, smooth, and full-bodied. It has a structure composed of very gentle tannins, without edges, and a remarkable freshness that accompanies it from start to finish. A wine with good ageing potential.
Ca N´Estruc is a family winery located in a unique setting, on the very slopes of the Montserrat mountain, in the municipality of Esparreguera (Barcelona). The winery boasts one of the oldest estates in the area (dating back to 1574), where 22 hectares of vineyards are cultivated, producing an extensive range of young and aged wines.
It is worth noting that Ca N´Estruc is the first winery registered under the D.O. Catalunya (created in 1999). Ca N´Estruc, the ‘House of the Estruch’, is a house tied to the family surname. Francisco Martí Estruch was its founder and is the grandfather of the current owner, Francisco Martí Badia.
The estate's vineyard is situated at an altitude of 165 meters above sea level. The land enjoys a unique microclimate, protected from northern winds thanks to the renowned Montserrat mountain. The vines are oriented from north to south to optimize sunlight exposure. The different plots surround the family farmhouse and the winery. The younger vineyards are trellised to promote ventilation, while the older vineyards, averaging 40 years, are pruned in a goblet shape. Additionally, the Ca N´Estruc winery acquires grapes from old vineyards of local growers, obtaining the finest grapes that feature in their premium wines.
To produce the wines of Ca N´Estruc, the winery cultivates native grape varieties such as the white xarel·lo, macabeo, garnacha blanca, or muscat, and the red garnacha and cariñena. Furthermore, it includes a wide selection of international varietals like chardonnay, syrah, tannat, or petit verdot, among others.
Since 2012, the Catalan winery has practiced organic viticulture across all its vineyards, and in 2019, they introduced biodynamic methods. Regarding the winemaking process, Ca N´Estruc vinifies separately using native yeasts. The musts ferment spontaneously at controlled temperatures, aiming to showcase the individual expression of each terroir. The aging of the various wines is carried out in French oak barrels.
The result is wines with character and personality, modern in style and easy
