Since 1999, José Manuel has developed a reputation amongst his peers as one of the top winemakers in Spain. Now, his bodega produces less than 5,000 cases per year of small lot, hand-crafted wines from approximately 18 hectares of vineyards within the Tierra Estella sub-region of Navarra in northern Spain. Maria Saenz-Olazabal, his wife, collaborates with him on two stunning lines of wines: Alzania, and Saenz-Olazabal. Each vintage, the release of new wines shows a consistent and exceptional dedication to the varying estate fruit, in wines of elegance and concentration that can stand up with the top wines of the world. José Manuel's vineyards are never irrigated, never see herbicides or chemicals, and his plants produce between 3,000 to 5,000 kg/hectare on average. As a minimalist in the cellar as well, natural fermentations take place for all of his wines, carefully-thought-out oak treatments are used to complement the variety, and remarkably low amounts of sulfites are used during the process. Alzania wines are truly a magnificent approach to both international grapes and the local expression of Garnacha, and continue to express more and more of the territory year after year.
ALZANIA & SAENZ-OLAZABAL - VIRTUAL VISIT
The following interview was recorded in the fall of 2020 during the Covid lockdown. These videos were intended to promote sales and create requests for samples during a time when promoting new wines was challenging. Although this promotion is over, the videos contain SO MUCH great content that we want to make it available to you.
To watch this Virtual Visit on YouTube - click HERE Pro-Tip: Underneath each video there is an expandable description (click Show More) where you will find 'time-stamps' that are quick-linked to particular topics throughout the video for easy navigation and quick information
The following interview was recorded in the fall of 2020 during the Covid lockdown. These videos were intended to promote sales and create requests for samples during a time when promoting new wines was challenging. Although this promotion is over, the videos contain SO MUCH great content that we want to make it available to you.
To watch this Virtual Visit on YouTube - click HERE Pro-Tip: Underneath each video there is an expandable description (click Show More) where you will find 'time-stamps' that are quick-linked to particular topics throughout the video for easy navigation and quick information
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saenz-olazabal 'gardacho' blanca
100% garnacha blanca Saenz-Olazabal’s Gardacho Blanca takes its name from a mythical dragon/lizard creature that the local children enjoy telling stories of. This 100% expression of the local Garnacha Blanca grape comes from a small plot where Cabernet Sauvignon grew for just over 20 years before it was re-grafted to plant this famous Spanish white grape. This north facing sloped vineyard sits at about 600 meters above sea level, and was hand harvested, brought into the cellar for about a day of cold maceration, and fermented naturally in stainless steel tanks. After the fermentation was finished, the juice remained in contact with its fine lees for about 2 months. The finished wine has beautiful lime and honeydew rind aromas, wet stones, and hints of boxwood. On the palate, it is mineral driven with accents of citrus and melon, fresh acidity, and has a mouth feel that is robust but dances lightly on the tongue. It has a long lingering finish that showcases the crisp fruit as well as the intense mineral components of the wine. |
saenz-olazabal 'gardacho'
100% garnacha Saenz-Olazabal’s Gardacho takes its name from a mythical dragon/lizard creature that the local children enjoy telling stories of. It is made from an average of 75-year-old vine Garnacha fruit that is fermented in concrete vats and stainless steel to retain the bright character of the grape. It spent 8 months in old giant French oak vats for a beautiful development before bottling. This wine’s freshness and exuberance is absolutely stunning! Bright red fruits shoot out of the glass, but with no lack of spicy tones to accompany it. Its lifted acidity on the palate exemplifies the berries and peppery notes and makes for an absolute delight to have in the mouth. So well-balanced and cleanly made, this red can be perfect with a slight chill for summer time drinking on the patio, or sit next to grilled meats and vegetables. |
alzania 'camino del soto'
chardonnay, sauvignon blanc Alzania’s Camino del Soto is a blend of Jose Manuel’s white grapes on the estate, coming from half Chardonnay and half Sauvignon Blanc. The expression is focused and terroir driven as it is a true marriage of the grapes from the beginning. A hand-harvest of these vines happen on the same day and the grapes are fermented together naturally in stainless steel. A cold fermentation makes for an incredibly aromatic blend, and it is coupled with a two-month rest on the fine lees to add depth and body to the finished wine. On the nose there are bright aromas of yellow plum, citrus, honey, and dried flowers, all of which lead up to a fleshy mouth feel of stone fruits, citrus, and green melon. A long bright finish that is backed by freshness that is as bright as the wine is in the glass. 
alzania 'finca la moneda'
merlot, garnacha, syrah Alzania’s Finca la Moneda is a powerful and well-balanced wine that is outstanding now, but will keep for 10 years. Named for the coins and treasures found in the vineyards surrounding the estate, this wine’s varietals are fermented separately and naturally in stainless steel tanks. The wine is placed into an assortment of wood barrels from France, America, and Hungary, and rests there for twelve months before bottling. This robust and full-bodied red shows luscious aromas of mature red and black fruit give way to layers of herbs, spices, eucalyptus, and mineral notes. With luscious but firm tannins, this wine holds its focus nicely throughout the long, rich finish. |
alzania syrah
100% syrah The Alzania Syrah comes from a gorgeous plot of vines called ‘Los Almendros,’ and is an extremely approachable, yet complex and elegant ‘little brother’ to Jose Manuel’s ‘21 del 10’ Syrah. After initial fermentation in stainless, the wine is transferred into both new French Allier oak and second use American oak for around one year, and then spends several years in bottle before it is ready for release to the market. The resulting color is rich and dark, giving way to gorgeous aromas of fresh currant, blackberry, mature red and black fruit, olive, pork fat, and a touch of balsamic. The palate follows suit well with driven fruit, a full-body, remarkably high acidity, and a long incredible finish. 
alzania 'la cardelina'
100% garnacha blanca The Alzania La Cardelina 2018 is Jose Manuel’s top end Garnacha Blanc from a north facing 22-year-old single vineyard called Finca Vigórtiga. The combinations of the orientation, the poor soils, and the selection of only the top fruit, come together to the cellar for a cold skin soak for 24 hours and then a natural fermentation in 3 different new oak barrels (a 500L French, a 500L Hungarian, & a 225L American). The wine then continues to rest on its fine lees with semiweekly batonnage for 6 months. The finished wine shows gorgeous intensity in the nose, full of caramel, grilled pineapple, grated nutmeg, fresh cut wood, brown sugar, and cream. The palate expresses a creamy texture that isn’t heavy as the citrus notes play the key role of freshness to compliment the mineral tone from the terroir. Round and silky and a finish that goes for days, this top end white wine has immense texture and depth that will continue to develop for many years to come. |
alzania 'el retorno'
100% garnacha Alzania’s El Retorno takes its name to bring forth the concept of ‘returning’ to using the old vineyards of the Navarra region. In an area that is now well known for its use of international varietals, Jose Manuel has recovered one particular old vineyard (and the only one left of its kind), called Finca Androneca that has olive trees and bush vines of Garnacha growing together in harmony. The grapes are fermented in small wooden tanks for about 3 weeks until it is transferred to new French and American oak to begin malo-lactic fermentation. The wine then rests there for 7 months before it is moved to large French oak vats for a final 3 months before bottling. Gorgeously balanced between fruit, earth, wood, spice, and acidity, the aromas and the flavors are harmonious and beautifully expressive of the varietal. Fresh spring flowers, blue and red fruit character, wet rocks, and peppery spice come together for an elegant medium to full bodied red. 
alzania '21 del 10'
100% syrah The 21 del 10 shows Syrah’s ability to adapt to hot conditions makes it a perfect marriage for Navarra’s terroir and shows itself in this wine in waves of pepper and spice on the nose. Named for Jose Manuel’s daughter’s birthday, the 21 del 10 (21st of October) is hand harvested and ferments naturally in large, 1,300 liter French barrels. After 14 months of aging in new French Allier barriqe, the wine is bottled without filtration and expresses both peppery spices and ripe, round dark fruit. In the mid palate, the tannins are sweet from a warm toasty oak nuance that compliments careful balance, finesse, and complexity of the wine. This wine is drinkable now but is only beginning to show its true character and will develop greatly over the next five to seven years. |