Camarolos 2018

Wine description for Camarolos 2018 by Victoria Ordóñez

Colour & appearance

Deep, impenetrable purple-red with violet reflections at the rim. The colour reveals the concentration of old vines and the low yields from steep slopes.

Nose

A complex interplay of blackcurrants and blackberries, underscored by violets and a subtle peppery note. In the background, hints of cedarwood emerge alongside a touch of smoky slate minerality, evoking the extreme high-altitude vineyards.

Palate

Powerful yet not heavy. The tannins are fine-grained and present without dominating. The fruit feels precise and clear, carried by vibrant acidity that balances the 14 per cent alcohol. Notes of dark cherries and liquorice merge with an earthy depth.

Finish

Long and structured, with a lingering echo of dark chocolate and Mediterranean herbs. The wine leaves the palate with remarkable freshness, inviting another sip without ever feeling heavy.

Terroir & origin

The grapes come from the Montes de Málaga, where Victoria Ordóñez farms biodynamically at altitudes between 800 and 1,000 metres. The extremely steep slopes within the Sierra de Málaga Natural Park make mechanisation impossible; harvesting is done entirely by hand, with grapes transported by mules. Despite its proximity to the Mediterranean, the area enjoys an almost continental climate characterised by hot days and cool nights.

Grape varieties & vinification

Camarolos is an unusual cuvée of Syrah, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon – international varieties reinterpreted here within their historical context. The grapes undergo wild fermentation and are aged in small French oak barrels, which are renewed each year. Yields are extremely low, often below 1,000 kilograms per hectare.

Food pairings

A wine for hearty dishes: rack of lamb with rosemary, beef fillet in red wine jus or wild boar stew. Also an excellent match for mature Manchego or grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil.

Special features

This wine makes a statement: while Victoria Ordóñez is best known for her dry Pedro Ximénez, Camarolos showcases her adventurous spirit with international grape varieties grown on extreme terrain. The combination of biodynamic viticulture, heroic winemaking on precipitous slopes and vinification in the only active bodega within the city limits of Málaga makes this wine a rare example of the revival of a forgotten wine region.