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Bellum El Principio
Bellum El Principio
Bellum el Principio is a wine made by Señorío de Barahonda in Yecla, a DO region located in southeast Spain. Bellum means ‘battle’ or ‘war’ in Latin and this word refers to the concept that anything worth achieving in life requires a battle. Bellum is a joint venture between the Candela Family, Emili Esteve, Michael Martin, Alberto Orte and Patrick Mata. The project began in 2002 with the objective to produce wines made from 100% Monastrell in a region ideally suited to it, to demonstrate the virtues and true potential of this grape. The Monastrell grape is indigenous to Spain and around the 5th Century it was brought to France, where it’s called Mourvèdre. An accomplished young Spanish winemaker feels that Yecla has “the true wine history of Spain. You have the most old vines there, a place that has made wine since the 5th or 6th Century.”
What makes this wine unique?
This wine is made from estate-owned, organically grown, 100% Monastrell grapes from the Campo de Arriba subzone of Yecla. The grapes come from vines planted in 1925 on original, pre-phylloxera rootstock. This is a small production wine; less than 1,500 cases are made for the world.
Rating history:
2006 91+RP; 2005 90RPGrape:
100% Monastrell (from vines 65-85 years old).
Pairing Suggestions:
This spicy, robust, full-bodied red stands up well next to strong flavors like ox, bull and beef, and even chicken or flaky fish like merluza when prepared with assertive spices like smoked Spanish pimenton pepper. Also pairs well with aged hard cheeses.
Vinification and ageing:
The wine is aged for nine months in 90% French and 10% Hungarian oak barrels.
Production:
1,200 cases are made; 550 for the U.S.
Location, Soil, Climate:
The vineyards are within the Yecla DO (Zone 8), in Murcia in southeast Spain. The grapes for Bellum El Remate are grown in Yecla’s subregion of Campo Arriba, with steeper vineyards and a greater concentration of old-vine Monastrell. Monastrell, called Mourvèdre in France and Mataro in Italy and in the New World, is the most planted grape in the region and the second most planted red variety in Spain. Situated at a higher altitude and latitude than neighboring Jumilla, Yecla is significantly cooler, which makes more aromatic wines with a fresher character. The soils are limestone and chalk, with clay and gravel subsoils that contain little nutrients. The parcel is steep with good drainage. The clay subsoil retains water well, essential to the vine’s health in this arid climate. Despite the depth of the clay, the root systems can extend up to 30 feet in search of water. The poor soils have low vigor, resulting in low yields of about 3 pounds of fruit per vine. This produces smaller berries with a higher skin-to-juice ratio and greater overall fruit concentration. The Monastrell vines selected for Bellum are from the oldest parcels at Señorio de Barahonda. For climate, the average temperature from May-October is 66ºF, with a mere 13 inches of annual rainfall. The Mediterranean climate has a light Continental influence, due to the high altitude. The Mediterranean’s cool sea breezes moderate the otherwise high temperatures and arid conditions. This area receives lots of sunlight, an average 3,893 hours of sunshine per year. The vine virtually shuts down during the cool nights, which prolongs the ripening period. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and prevents over-ripeness. In sum, the area’s conditions are ideal for Monastrell.
Tasting notes:
Bellum El Principio offers an uplifted perfume of spice box, mineral, and blueberry. On the palate the wine reveals a forward personality with excellent flavors, velvety tannins, and 2-3 years of aging potential. It will provide pleasure through 2015.
Alcohol Content:
15.0%
UPC Code:
8437006931267
