Bimbache Grand Cruz del Calvario 2023

Rayco Fernandez and his team in El Hierro present the Bimbache Vinícola project. 

Bimbache Grand Cruz del Calvario 2023 is a wine that has captivated critics. The name, very much in keeping with Rayco’s sense of humour, refers to his vineyard’s ‘Grand Cru’ classification on the hillside, but also alludes to the difficulty of growing vines in the Canary Islands (calvary and ordeal). 

Like all wines from the island of El Hierro, it is unique: made from a blend of local grape varieties including Vijariego Blanco (also known as Diego), Listán Blanco, Forastera, Marmajuelo and Baboso Blanco. The over 60-year-old vines are planted around the winery in the north-west of the island, a cooler area strongly influenced by the Atlantic trade winds. 

Fermentation begins spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks and continues in oak barrels of different sizes, where the wine develops a fine layer of flor. It remains there for around nine months and is bottled without filtration or clarification, with only a small addition of sulphur before bottling. The approach is designed to preserve the identity of the vineyard and the Atlantic character of El Hierro.

This is a deep, taut and remarkably saline white wine, driven by vibrant acidity that provides energy and length. Aromas of green apple, pear and citrus combine with mineral, spicy and herbal notes. A highly distinctive wine of place, particularly well suited to seafood, grilled fish, oysters and sushi, and a compelling expression of the potential of volcanic wines from the Canary Islands.

Around 1,000 bottles were produced under this label.

96 Parker points!