Ancestral Rosé 'Barba-Roja' A Pèl Loxarel 2022

"Barba-Roja" is an Ancestral Method wine produced by Loxarel within its A Pèl label range, dedicated to the most peculiar and prolonged macerative expressions. Vinified without the use of chemicals, it is the worthy child of a wild territory, where wild boars roam and the local vines are ancient.

Loxarel produces "Barba-Roja" Ancestral A Pèl from a blend of three black grape varieties: Sumoll, Xarel-lo Vermell, and Garnacha, sourced from a single vineyard located about 700 meters above sea level, extending over the mountainous massif of Pla de Manlleu, which is indeed the highest peak in the entire Penedès denomination. The territory is characterized by poor soil, covered by a thin clay matrix laid over rocky and calcareous ground, surrounded by forests of pines and oaks and dotted with broom bushes: the influence of Mediterranean breezes reaches here from several kilometers to the south. The vines are cultivated applying the principlesof biodynamic agriculture and using the relevant preparations throughout the year. The harvest takes place at the optimal ripening period, and in the winery, vinification follows the Ancestral Method process: inside 720-liter amphorae and in contact with the skins, spontaneous fermentation occurs, carried out by indigenous yeasts only, which is interrupted by low temperature upon reaching a precise sugar level; it then resumes in the bottle, triggering the sparkling process and depleting the residual sugars. No disgorgement is performed, so the yeasts remain an integral part of the finished wine.

"Barba-Roja" Ancestral A Pèl by Loxarel has a surprising rosé impact to the eye, clear with orange reflections. The nose is subtle and very fine: delicate floral notes marry the tangy and crunchy berry notes, from blueberry to currant, against a backdrop of herbal sensations, black tea leaves, and aromatic herbs like thyme. The tasting is dictated by the freshness of the high-altitude vines, which create a graceful and salty sip,softened by the enveloping and creamy fizziness. An ancestral wine that pairs well with any aperitif and complements dishes based on smoked foods or soft cheeses.