Rating - Wine Advocate 94 (2019 vintage)
Growers: Florencç©©o Labrador & Envç©©nate
Region: Tenerife, Canary Islands
Appellation: La Orotava
Climate: Atlantic
Varieties: 100% Listan Blanco
Soil: Black volcanic sand
Elevation: 600 meters
Vine Age: 100 years
Pruning: Cordon Trenzado
Farming: Practicing organic
INFO
This newest Envç©©nate wine is from just outside La Orotava, on the northeast slopes of Pico del Teide, the mountain volcano on the island of Tenerife. The viticulture is very old-fashioned: the vines grow untrained, the soil is worked by hand, and no chemicals are used. The island experiences a fairly temperate climate, enabling grapes to ripen at moderate alcohol levels while retaining bright acidity. The main challenges to viticulture are winds from the Atlantic and Africa and fluctuations in humidity.
Palo Blanco is sourced from a 1.5ha vineyard of centenarian cordon trenzado (braided vines) Listan Blanco, and is named for the area where its planted. The grapes are hand-harvested, pressed full cluster into large concrete tank off the skins and fermented without malolactic occurring, then raised in two Friulian 2500L oval foudres for 10 months. Bottling is without fining, filtration or any added SO2. Palo Blanco is a volcanic island wine: high-toned, linear, saline and electric.