Rocalima 2021
Oxidative Doradilla from the Axarquía region of Málaga
Rocalima 2021 is a white wine born from the heroic viticulture practiced by Viñedos Verticales in the Axarquía region of Málaga. Made entirely from the doradilla grape variety, almost extinct in Málaga, it comes from a vineyard located at about 600 m altitude, with a steep slope, on black slate soils. After manual harvesting, spontaneous fermentation, and racking along with its skins into a concrete vat, it rests for 5 months. Once pressed, the wine undergoes 10 months of aging on its lees in chestnut cones. A very original white wine for those initiated into the wines of the Marco de Jerez and orange wines.
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
100% Doradilla
Type of barrel
Old chestnut cones
Type of bottle
Bourgogne
Barrel aging time
10 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
12
Creators' opinion
Rocalima is amber in color and on the nose it resembles an oxidative wine from the Marco de Jerez, but on the palate, it is lighter (not fortified, obviously) and with well-balanced acidity. However, having fermented for 5 months with its skins, this is noticeable, although it resembles a Jerez wine more than an orange wine. A very original wine for those initiated into the wines of the Marco and orange wines. Surprising.
The winery
Winery
Viñedos Verticales is the project in the Axarquía region of Málaga by two friends, Juan Muñoz, a third-generation viticulturist and winemaker in the area, and the winemaker Vicente Inat. The winery began its journey in 2015, in the town of Moclinejo, where the small plots that make up its 8 hectares of vineyard are located.
As its name suggests, the main hallmark of Viñedos Verticales is the unique location of the vines they work with. Aged between 40 and 100 years, these vines are planted on steep slopes with slate soils, at an altitude of between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level, which also exerts its influence due to its proximity. Because of the rugged terrain, the viticulture practiced is traditional and includes mule plowing, with moscatel being the predominant variety, complemented by other varieties such as Pedro Ximénez, and the more minor doradilla and rome.
The work in the vineyard, respectful of the environment, continues in the winery with a winemaking process free of artifices and unnecessary additions, based on natural fermentations and aging in wooden vats, century-old foudres, and concrete tanks. A philosophy committed to tradition and its own roots that, under the D.O. Málaga y Sierras de Málaga, produces wines of great quality and limited production, with a distinctive personality, a mineral profile, and remarkable longevity.
As its name suggests, the main hallmark of Viñedos Verticales is the unique location of the vines they work with. Aged between 40 and 100 years, these vines are planted on steep slopes with slate soils, at an altitude of between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level, which also exerts its influence due to its proximity. Because of the rugged terrain, the viticulture practiced is traditional and includes mule plowing, with moscatel being the predominant variety, complemented by other varieties such as Pedro Ximénez, and the more minor doradilla and rome.
The work in the vineyard, respectful of the environment, continues in the winery with a winemaking process free of artifices and unnecessary additions, based on natural fermentations and aging in wooden vats, century-old foudres, and concrete tanks. A philosophy committed to tradition and its own roots that, under the D.O. Málaga y Sierras de Málaga, produces wines of great quality and limited production, with a distinctive personality, a mineral profile, and remarkable longevity.