Monopole Clasico Blanco 2019

From the start of last century until the 1970s, Monopole was a reference point in homes and hostelries throughout Spain, and one of CVNE's foremost wines. Sadly, existing trends changed for the worse, sales slipped and in the 80s it stopped being produced as it had been at that time. In 2014, celebrating the brand's centenary year, the Monopole as it used to be made before, saw the light of day again, now under the name of Monopole Clásico: a seductive and striking wine thanks to a small amount of Manzanilla, a commemorative wine which draws deeply on tradition to welcome in the present.

The Viura grape's combination of fruit and liveliness, along with the pungent profile of the Manzanilla, make Monopole Clásico an amazing white whose nose blends together the aromas of green almonds, marzipan and salt with those of white fruits like apple and pear. On swirling the glass around, hints of cabello de ángel (pumpkin preserve), sea breeze and fine spices appear. On the palate it's oily, but also fresh, thanks to the slight acidity of the Manzanilla. The salinity is noticeable on the wine's passage and evident right up to the long and persistent finish, enhanced by withering chamomile petals and dried fruits and nuts.

Grapes are collected by hand and gently pressed. The must is then transferred to large concrete deposits and left to settle as was done in the 1970s. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine is moved into different sizes of used wooden barrels where it will stand on its fine lees for about eight months. A small amount of Manzanilla sherry wine made by Bodegas Hidalgo in Sanlúcar de Barrameda is mixed in to give the finished product its special character. 

"The white 2019 Monopole Clásico wants to take us to the wines produced with Viura and Palomino in the old times. The grapes were very healthy, picked the second half of September with power, clout and balance. It's 13.3% alcohol and has a pH of 3.25 and 5.87 grams of acidity (tartaric acid per liter of wine). What makes this white unique is that it contains a small amount of Manzanilla (the biological Sherry produced in the village of Sanlúcar de Barrameda). It's a bit shy and has subtle notes of Sherry, tasty and salty, with a long, dry finish. It slowly opens up, revealing notes of spices and aromatic herbs and a clean and balanced palate. Despite the warm year, the wine has good freshness. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2021." Luis Gutiérrez (14/07/2022)