Envinate Albahra Tinto 2024
The Wine
'Albahra' is a Moorish word meaning 'Small Sea,' it's a reference to the flat, shallow basin near Albacete where Envinate's Albahra vineyard lies. The area is indeed an ancient, now drained sea bed, as evidenced by the limestone bedrock shot through with fossilised seashells, all of which now rests on the edge of Spain's central plateau at about 800m above current sea levels. Although we typically associate Envinate with 'Atlantic' wines the combination of neglected heritage varietals, interesting vineyards and the proximity to Envinate members' Laura and Alfonso's homes made it possible to include this, single Mediterranean cuvee in Envinate's repertoire.
94 Pts Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate 'The red 2024 Albahra is the only wine I tasted this time, as the white was not produced. This is a blend of Garnacha Tintorera, Moravia Agria and Garnacha Tinta with a contained 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.42 and 5.8 grams of acidity. The varieties fermented separately with variable amounts of full clusters, and the wine matured in concrete, barrels and foudres. It has a harmonious and subtle nose with notes of flowers, herbs and berries with a spicy and earthy twist. The year was saved by some summer rains that allowed the grapes to complete the cycle. The harvest started 10 days earlier than normal, and they got lower yields. This is serious and balanced, following the nicely crafted style from the Envínate team, showcasing its birthplace. It's eminently Mediterranean with freshness and balance. This is a bargain for the quality it delivers. 66,000 bottles and 400 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2025. The Mediterranean wine from the Envínate team is the Albahra, which mixes grapes from Almansa and Manchuela'.
The Details
Variety - Garnacha Tintorrera, Moravia Agria and Garnacha Tinta
Country - Spain
Region - Galicia
Sub Region - Ribeira Sacra
Extra - Cork
Year - 2024
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Envinate, which literally translates as “wine yourself,” is the project of four passionate young winemakers: Roberto Santana, Jose Martinez, Laura Ramos and Alfonso Torrente. The four met while studying oenology in Alicante in 2005 and formed a collective based on a shared philosophy of wine and a desire to explore the ancient, Atlantic influenced terroirs of western Spain.
In 2008, the group bought their first vineyard in Ribera Sacra, then took control of vineyards on the north of Tenerife and then ba single patch of Tinta Amarela in Extremadura. Finally, in 2012, they began working a site in Almansa, planted with Garnacha Tintorera. In each place, the team care for old abandoned vineyards and move frequently around the country.
