Alma de Luzón 2022: when precision transforms an extreme year into a great vintage
Some vintages are remembered for their abundance, whilst others remain etched in the memory for the challenges they presented. Alma de Luzón’s 2022 vintage falls into the latter category. It was a year marked by extreme drought, high temperatures and particularly demanding conditions in the vineyard, which forced us to make precise decisions at every stage of the growing cycle.
Far from being an obstacle, this scenario gave us a key advantage: exceptionally healthy grapes. The low rainfall and the absence of disease problems meant that the fruit reached harvest in optimal condition, retaining all its quality and varietal expression. The result is a red wine that faithfully reflects the character of the vintage and the identity of our region.
That said, nature also took its toll. Production was significantly lower than usual, with a reduction of approximately 22% compared to previous vintages. This reduction in yield makes Alma de Luzón 2022 a particularly limited edition, a circumstance that adds even more value to each bottle.
A year of observation and careful decision-making
The growing season began with a spring in which budbreak was delayed by between 15 and 20 days compared to usual. This late start to the growing season seemed to suggest a later harvest, but the arrival of an exceptionally hot summer changed the rhythm of the vineyard.
The high temperatures accelerated the ripening processes and led us to bring forward the 2022 harvest. However, in a year like this, simply harvesting early was not enough. The real challenge lay in finding the exact moment to harvest each plot, avoiding overripeness and preserving the grapes’ natural freshness.
That is why we worked vineyard by vineyard, analysing each plot and constantly assessing the development of our vineyards. Our objective was clear: to harvest at precisely the right moment to preserve the balance between concentration, freshness and varietal expression.
Our accumulated experience and in-depth knowledge of our environment were crucial in correctly interpreting such a unique vintage. In the vineyard, there are no universal formulas; each year writes its own story and demands different responses.
The Mediterranean spirit of a unique vintage
If there is one thing that characterises Alma de Luzón 2022, it is its balance. The weather conditions that year favoured greater fruit concentration, but also allowed for a more pronounced acidity to be retained, lending dynamism and freshness to the wine as a whole.
This characteristic is particularly interesting in a wine that has undergone a long period of barrel ageing. Despite its 22 months in barrel, Alma de Luzón retains remarkable tension and liveliness on the palate, a quality that adds depth and lengthens its finish.
We thus find a wine that preserves the essence that has always defined Alma de Luzón: structure, body and complexity. However, the 2022 vintage offers a fresher, more vibrant profile that further enhances its ageing potential and its appeal with food.
It is an authentic interpretation of the Mediterranean, where intensity coexists with elegance and where the ripeness of the fruit finds a perfect counterpoint in its natural acidity.
Handcrafted production with minimal intervention
Alma de Luzón 2022 is the result of blending two perfectly complementary grape varieties: Monastrell and Syrah. Together, they create a wine with a personality all of its own, capable of expressing both the vigour of our terroir and the complexity of a winemaking process attended to in every detail.
The grapes were harvested by hand into 15-kilogram crates to ensure the fruit remained in the best possible condition. After harvesting, the grapes were left in a cold store for 24 hours to undergo pre-fermentation maceration at a low temperature.
We then selected the bunches before beginning alcoholic fermentation in 500-litre barrels. Once this stage was complete, the wine was transferred to new French and American oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged for 22 months.
Throughout the entire process, we adhere to a philosophy of minimal intervention. We do not use selected yeasts, allowing the wine to express the character of the vineyard and the vintage more authentically. After bottling, Alma de Luzón 2022 spent a further 16 months maturing in the bottle before being released onto the market.
A wine with character and ageing potential
In the glass, Alma de Luzón 2022 displays an intense, deep cherry colour that hints at its aromatic richness. On the nose, ripe red and black fruits stand out, accompanied by spicy undertones and delicate smoky notes from the ageing process.
The initial impression on the palate is full-bodied and succulent. The fruit is perfectly integrated with the oak, whilst the vintage’s characteristic freshness lends balance and precision. The result is a Monastrell and Syrah wine with great character – modern, elegant and true to its origins.
Its structure and complexity mean it can be enjoyed now, but also suggest it will age superbly in the bottle over the coming years. Every glass reveals new nuances and confirms the enormous potential of a vintage that managed to turn adverse weather conditions into an opportunity to achieve excellence.
Alma de Luzón 2022 is, in short, a reflection of a challenging year and meticulous work in the vineyard and in the winery. A limited edition that honestly expresses the identity of our land and invites you to discover one of the most precise and balanced interpretations of this premium wine.
