La Orphica Iluminada: velvety texture with luscious dark plums and hints of cigar box
"Be enlighted and enchanted by this next level Monastrell, a treat for your senses and for you!"
La Orphica Iluminada takes unlocking the mystical nature of the Monastrell grape to the next level. Also left to ripen on the vines an additional three to five weeks, we have been even more particular with our selection of these raisin Monastrell clusters that will offer a natural sweetness we know will round off the big tannins and will offer soft velvety textures, dark luscious fruits and, with 6 months in barrels, beautifully toasted oak finish.
“With this project, Iluminada, we have shined a light on the Monastrell grape, honouring it as the king of Spanish grape varietals; powerful, dominate and with a superior character that allows for maximum versatility. We believe it embodies the meaning of iluminada perfectly.” David Tofterup, Winemaker
Dry Farmed Monastrell The first records of the Monastrell varietal was found 500 years BC in the subregions of Valencia, Spain. In present time, the Monastrell continues to thrive in Spain, settling its roots in the South Eastern regions of Spain. These areas where the Monastrell thrives have long hot dry summers days and a drop in evening temperature allowing for the grapes to ripen slowly throughout the months of July, August and September. With the additional time we give to these select Monastrell clusters we have allowed for a raisin effect on the vines enriching and concentrating the natural qualities.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby red with attractive youthful notes of dark plums, black cherries, toasted oak, a hint cigar box and a mixture of sweet spices. The palate is big with soft, juicy, ripe tannins and a lot of ripe fruit. The natural sweetness is balanced with a fresh acidity and a juicy finish.
Best to drink within 4-6 years
"Oh yes! Oh wow! Now this is my new favourite red, and then some.
My friend and I shared a bottle the other day and both agreed it was love at first sip!!!" 5 out of 5 hearts Naked Wines UK - J. Barker -Angel since January 2021
"This is a cracking wine. It was my wine of the tour and is now a favourite. It's typical of the Tofterup's wines but a cut above in complexity and depth. And at this price the value is incredible" 4.5 our of 5 hearts- Naked Wines UK - B. Fuller Angel since April 2015
"Deep, rich and full bodied red. These guys nail it again, Danes helping make Spanish wine amongst my favourites. Who´d have thought it" 5 out of 5 hearts Naked Wines UK - M. Connolley - Angel since February 2018
Food Pairing:
Matches perfectly with pork chops, grilled spare ribs, juicy steak, roasted duck with plum sauce and shows nicely without food.
Winemaking Notes
Winemaker: David Tofterup
The grapes were handpicked end of October when the grapes had started raisining on the wines
concentrating sugars and flavors. Gentle destemming of the slightly dehydrated grapes that, inoculation with selected yeasts and fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks where the musts were periodically gentle pumped over during fermentation and maceration. After fermentation the wine was racked, and the skins were pressed and during this stage the raisined grapes left traces of unfermented sugars in the wine giving the it’s unique off dry character. The wine was aged for 6 months in used French and American oak casks
Awards
91 points - Guia Peñin - 2022
92 points - Food and Monopoly
5 stars - Vinavisen Denmark
Vineyards:
We are very selective about the quality of grapes that we work with at Bodegas Trenza. We value the old dry farmed Monastrell vineyards we have found expanding across south-eastern Spain. The yields are reduced thereby resulting in grapes with outstanding potential from the start. For La Orphica Iluminada, we have chosen to use the quality clusters we found from a small individual vineyard plots at an elevation ranging from 700-800 meters above sea level for this project.
“As a winemaker I love seeing the very first signs of life in the vineyards. The little green buds, springing to life on the vines, immediately brightening up the brown scenery. Seeing this gets me really excited and energised about each new harvest”
Packaging:
La Orphica Iluminada is an elegant label with a rich dark aquamarine blue color. Pearlized paper nicely reflect light capturing your attention. The circular logo with the vine of life becomes a focal point on the label with an elegant use of gold on gold stamping and embossed text give depth, elegance and texture to the label and is a promise to the quality of wine within. The standard packaging is a golden-green coloured burgundy bottle weighing 1,2 kilograms full. The bottle is capsuled with personalised gold foil know as an E-capsules that is 100% recyclable unlike other capsules. We are only one of a handful of wineries who have switched and are willing to invest in this environmentally conscious capsule.
