The vintage really speaks

Alfàbia 2024 is the exact same blend as last year; 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet. And yet it's different in its expression. Here, the vintage really speaks.

As always, we made a careful selection; this time five barrels of our best Merlot, blended with three barrels of Cabernet. Barrels number 62, 83, 33, 66, 67, 95, 99 and 43. And, then we actually added 440 liters of Cabernet from a floating-lid tank that we usually use for topping up the barrels. It just added a little bit of extra oomph in there.

How does Alfàbia 2024 taste?

The nose is ever so aristocratic and yet enticing; sexy and masculine. It's fresh and deep and magic at the same time. Dark prunes, blackberries, candied orange peel, and sweet floral notes like cherry blossom. And then this incredible sweet, almost candied blueberry scent to it. The aromas are really, truly magnificent.

On the palate it's so seamless. It's juicy, it's fresh, and it's deep at the same time. Purity is the one word that sticks out here. You have the same dark, ripe fruit as in the nose and so much freshness. It just keeps going on and on and on, unfolding in layers of fruit, of minerals, of freshness, and just keeps rolling on your palate. It's almost endless.

How to best enjoy Alfàbia 2024...

Here my mind go immediately to a meditation wine moment, late in the evening, sitting in front of the fireplace or anywhere else where you just feel at peace. It's a zen wine. But again, this is also very much a food wine.

Food-wise, I am thinking game.  Deer or a good, juicy piece of Secreto Ibérico will do just as well. And to match the freshness and the orangey notes of the wine, I would do it almost like a duck à l'orange or with a fruit compote of some kind, just to give it that sweet-sour match you'll find in the wine.