‘Cuatro Pasos’ 2020 – Bodegas Martín Códax.
Spring has just started, which for many people means an increased rosé consumption. This time of year gives us more sunshine and after the dark and colder winter period we just want to go outside and enjoy a nice glass in the sun with friends. Rosé seems to fulfill many of our needs in that perspective. Why? Maybe because plenty of roses are made with the focus on the primary fruit aromas.
But rosé is more than just a wine that people can enjoy on the terrace. It can be combined with food as well, e.g., salads, white meat and soft cheeses. Furthermore, when one says rosé, the majority immediately thinks of the Provence. However, other regions can produce lovely types too. In this review we will discuss a Spanish example, “Cuatro Pasos”, produced by Bodegas Martín Códax, located in the Bierzo D.O.
About the Winery
As mentioned earlier we are taking you to the Spanish region Bierzo in this review. This D.O. is situated in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia and the Meseta Central. Here Bodegas Martín Códax was founded in 1985, being named after the best-known Galician troubadour, who has written the oldest medieval poems of Galician-Portuguese language. The poems mainly focus on topics such as love and the see and its coastline.
This establishment was at first just a dream for a select group of winegrowers, however, one day they decided to take the shot. A lot of effort led to a winery that is nowadays a symbol of Galician wines in Spain and abroad. This is shown in their value proposition: “unique, with a strong identity, defined by our land and our terroir”.
This uniqueness shows remarkable well on the created labels. For instance, the label for this rose reflects four bear tracks that were discovered one morning in a magnificent vineyard in the highest areas of El Bierzo and was the start to a deep commitment to the bear. That is also why Cuatro Pasos and the bears walk in the same direction, ever since in search of their protection acknowledged by the project. And that is how this wine got its name.
Martín Códax’s vineyards are located in the Bierzo Valley, more precisely in the Otero and Villadecanes areas, and settled on clay and mineral soils. The predominant grape variety of this region is Mencía, which can produce both red and rosé wines. Mencía grapes also find their home in Spain’s Valdeorras and Ribera Sacra, and Portugal’s Dão, regions.
About the Wine
Rosé wines can be made in several ways (for instance through direct pressing, short maceration or blending). Martín Códax aims to reflect the typical characteristics of the Mencía grape in the rosé.
Cuatro Pasos undergoes pre-fermentation maceration for 12 and 14 hours leading to a pinkish colour. Afterwards the grapes have been fermented in stainless steel tanks including temperature control. Resulting is an elegant and fruity wine.
The glass fills with a light-pink wine of 12.5% abv. When swirling, the aromas of red fruits are straight forward, namely red cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Besides, a typical smell of a bouquet of roses and violets can be found back, in which the varietal character of Mencía stands out.
The wine flows easily through the mouth, accompanied by high fresh acidity. A very fruity aftertaste with a fresh finish can be detected and stays intact for quite a while. In conclusion: a straightforward wine, not too complex but well-balanced, with a focus on the floral and red fruit components.
We award this rose with a 82/100 DWA score.
This review is written by our own Judi Veldwijk. This wine is imported by Vinites and available through selected resellers and restaurants.
Price: €11,95
Taste date: April 2023
Score: 82/100 DWA Score
Website: Bodegas Martín Códax