Paso Proximo Moristel ‘76

Country: Spain Region: Somontano

Varietal: 100% Moristel

Category: Red Wine Style: Dry

Producer: Paso-Primero

Description:
Paso-Primero was founded by Tom and Emma Holt, ex-employees of Tanners. Tom left Tanners to study winemaking at Plumpton College in 2010, graduating with highest honours.

After spells working around the world, including New Zealand with Kate Radburnd at C J Pask, and Canada (near Niagara where Tom recalled the struggle with the sheer cold of winter killing too many vines), they settled on Somontano in northern Spain as the source for their first wine, Paso Primero Tinto with it's distinctive 'ladder label' and wren symbol. Somontano means 'under the mountain' and at 750 metres the region produces grapes of very high quality (due to the high altitude and cool climate found in Somontano) which are selected from mature, family-owned vineyards around Barbastro. The wines are made in an ultra modern winery at Sommos where Tom is helped by the DeBeroz family, the leading lights of the Somontano appellation. Quality of fruit is vital and the wine is designed to be fresh and fruity with about 30% barrel-aged for six months. 

"This is the only single variety wine we make and one of the most important wines in our portfolio. Off the back of our early experiments with Moristel back in 2020 we have completely revolutionised how we make wines, how we grow grapes, and how we see the world of wine. We call it Moristel ‘76 because the vines we use were planted in 1976. We also only listen to music that was released in 1976 when we make it. It’s a hell of a playlist covering everything from disco to punk and you can find it here  " 

Tasting Notes:
Bright, light, fresh, crunchy fruit. Low tannins, herbaceous complexity, and bags of length.

Food Pairings: "Game, pork, and mushrooms are the best place to start for food but honestly it’s pretty bloody amazing on its own. Just give it a bit of a chill."