Rose Murray Brown MW, respected wine writer in Scotland, was celebrating three modern Scottish wine pioneers – in her ‘Scottish Connections’ virtual tasting with consumers in November.

Included was 🍇Manga del Brujo 2017 from Scot Norrel Robertson MW @escocesvolante – the tasters loved the smoky blackfruit peppery toasty blend of old vine Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo & Mazuelo from up-and-coming Calatayud region in Spain: £14.99 @theoxfordwinecompany @alliancewine @borderswines

Rose also noted that Norrel recently became one of the first Scottish Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

Imported by Alliance Wine in UK

EL ESCOCÉS VOLANTE, MANGA DEL BRUJO GARNACHA, SHIRAZ, TEMPRANILLO, DO CALATAYUD, SPAIN, 2017

Producer Profile
Norrel Robertson is a master of wine, consulting and making wine around the world.

Norrel also owns a little patch of land, high up in the rugged landscape of Calatayud, where he tends to gnarly, old Garnacha vines in poor mineral soils: poetic symbolism for this rebellious Scotsman who won’t be tamed. To look at his labels is to realise his irreverence for the local law. With his wild winemaking techniques, Norrel is making his mark on this region with raw, fantastically assertive Garnacha wines.

Viticulture
Manga del Brujo begins as bush vine grapes in the slate studded Jiloca valley at 2,600 feet above sea level. The wild mountain herbs among the vineyards give rise to the distinctive varietal aromas and garrigue character in the wine.

Winemaking
Careful temperature controlled fermentation and the collaboration of New World trained winemakers and local knowledge has produced a full bodied, distinctive Rhone blend which marries the Old and New World in terms of style but with a slant towards a meatier, more structured wine. The key to this wine is the long time spent working with the fine lees to obtain length and complexity.

Oak Treatment
Time: 5 Months
Type: American and French
% wine oaked: 100
Tasting Note
Deep purple with ruby red rim. Pronounced aromas of black fruits, cracked pepper, smoke and toast. Full bodied with well balanced tannins. The palate displays dense black fruits, cherries with a long smoky/toasty finish. Mineral and complex.

Food Matching
A great wine to drink with classic game dishes but will also accompany punchy dishes such as ragout and spicy tomato based recipes.