Txabola Mazuela 2020

Wine Description for Txabola Mazuela 2020 from Maisulan

Colour & Appearance

Dense, saturated purple with a luminous violet rim – youthful and concentrated in the glass.

Nose

A fascinating aromatic interplay between dark fruit and spicy complexity. Cassis, elderberries and blackberries meet roasted coffee beans, dark bitter chocolate and a hint of coconut. Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, sage and juniper lend the Mazuela an almost ethereal spiciness, whilst black and green pepper along with savoury notes of marjoram and lovage provide rustic depth.

Palate

Surprisingly juicy and refreshingly lean on the attack, with a gentle, fine-grained tannin that unfolds elegantly across the palate. The racy acidity enlivens throughout and lends the wine remarkable freshness. Elderberries and blackberries dominate the fruit profile, whilst positive bitterness gives the Mazuela a pleasantly rustic, almost primal character – authentic and unpretentious.

Finish

Medium length with lingering spice and a fine, bitter note reminiscent of cocoa and herbs. The acidity provides a refreshing conclusion.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the vineyard site Los Lanos in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, at 525 metres elevation. The sloping vineyard with clay soils over coral limestone and low water retention capacity shapes the concentrated, spicy character of this wine.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Mazuela (Carignan) from 15-year-old vines trained as espaliers. Following hand-harvesting and selection, spontaneous fermentation took place at a maximum of 25°C over 18 days, followed by 16 months ageing in second-fill French barriques – sufficient oak for structure without dominating the fruit.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Ideal with braised goose legs with potato noodles, lamb rack under an olive crust with rosemary potatoes or a beetroot gratin with feta and walnuts. The rustic character harmonises perfectly with hearty, spiced dishes.

Special Features

An authentic, unvarnished Mazuela that showcases the often underestimated grape variety in its full spicy, herb-driven personality – refreshingly different in the modern Rioja landscape.