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Cal Blanca
Cal Blanca
Cal Blanca is a wine named for a single vineyard located in the highest elevation subzone of the Toro DO region. The wine displays violet and graphite aromas and cool, fresh flavors on the palate. The goal of Cal Blanca is to make an estate-bottled wine from a vineyard situated in the only area in Toro (Cerro del Almendro) with limestone soils. ‘Cal Blanca’ (‘white chalk’ in English) refers to the rare chalky, calcareous limestone soils found in this special vineyard. In 2007, Bodegas Cal Blanca was founded by: Juan Pablo Peñalba from the Torremilanos family in Ribera del Duero; Pablo Rubio, Peter Sisseck’s vineyard manager; Alberto Orte and Patrick Mata. Located southwest of Ribera del Duero in Zone 2, the region of Toro has a warmer climate than Ribera del Duero and its wines are bolder, meatier and more full-bodied. The profile of Toro’s soils is mostly river stones and sandy topsoil atop layers of thick, hard clay subsoil. Planted in 1985, the Cal Blanca vineyard is sited at 809 meters (2,654 ft.) elevation, 15 km southwest of the town of Toro. The vines are head pruned (also called en vaso or gobelet) in the traditional manner; dry farmed (no irrigation), and tended using organic viticulture.
What makes this wine unique?
Produced by Pablo Rubio, Peter Sisseck vineyard manager. Cal Blanca is a single-vineyard wine tended in white chalk soil at a very high elevation of 809 meters (2,654 ft.). The wine displays aromas of graphite and violets. It is a cool, fresh example of Tempranillo, known locally as Tinta de Toro. The wine is not as tannic or alcoholic as most other Toro wines.
Rating history:
2009 90IWC; 2007 90RPGrape:
100% Tempranillo, known locally as Tinta de Toro. The 25-year-old vines are head pruned (en vaso) in the traditional manner. The vineyard is dry farmed (no irrigation) and tended utilizing organic viticulture.
Pairing Suggestions:
This wine shows the brawny and bold black fruits, violet and mineral character of Toro, but with distinctive aromatic freshness, uncommon balance and licorice notes. Pair this structured, elegantly powerful red with grilled steak, prime rib, beef roast and dishes with similar heft of flavor, including braised pork shoulder and venison, which the sweet tannins of Toro should compliment well. For more casual foods, beef or pork empanadas, BBQ beef, brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, and burritos will all pair well.
Vinification and ageing:
The must undergoes pre-fermentation cool maceration for 3 days, then 20 days of fermentation at cool temperatures. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, two years old, for 6 months followed by 3 months in 5,000-liter concrete tanks to provide oxygenation without the influence of oak.
Production:
1,900 cases are made; 1,100 for the U.S.
Location, Soil, Climate:
The vineyards are located in Zone 2, within the Toro region, at 809 meters (2,654 ft.) elevation at Cerro del Almendro, one of the highest points in Toro and the only site with limestone soil and vines. Cal Blanca is one of only a few limestone vineyards in the Toro region. The climate here is characterized by hot days and cool nights. The average temperature from May-October is 63ºF. The cool night temperatures prolong the ripening cycle and result in more balanced wines that are full of color and fruit intensity.
Tasting notes:
Cal Blanca exhibits an opaque purple-color. It delivers a nose of roasted mineral, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a structured wine with exceptional richness, outstanding concentration and a lengthy finish.
Alcohol Content:
14.0%
UPC Code:
810411013717
