Sansofi means “welcome” in Amazigh. The name refers to the first vineyard that Carmelo Peña and his family began working entirely with their own hands. After a long search, they found the profile they had in mind for Bien de Altura.
Sansofi is a single-vineyard wine from a plot located at around 1,350 metres above sea level. The vineyard is approximately 90 years old and lies on a north to north-west-facing slope. It is mainly planted with Listán Negro, complemented by Listán Prieto and a few local white grape varieties.
The volcanic soil contains a large amount of picón: small, porous volcanic stones surrounded by clay, sand and loam. Carmelo mainly selects the parts of the vineyard with the highest concentration of volcanic ash. This gives Sansofi its tense, mineral and serious character.
Vinification
The different grape varieties are co-fermented as whole bunches, with 100% of the stems. Fermentation takes place in open-top barrels and maceration lasts for approximately five weeks.
Carmelo Peña opts for very gentle extraction and pressing. Sansofi then matures for around one year in two 500-litre oak barrels.
Storage potential
Drink as from: 2026
Best moment: 2027-2031
Until: 2036
To serve
Serve slightly chilled, at around 14 to 16 °C. Ideally, allow the wine some time to open up in the glass.
Trial analysis
A deep and concentrated wine, yet remarkably light and elegant. The nose is initially rather closed and stony, with restrained fruit. With some time in the glass, layers of wild berries, herbs and spices gradually emerge.
On the palate, Sansofi is tense, serious and mineral. The wine has great depth and structure without becoming heavy. The volcanic soil gives it a restrained, stony tension and a long, nuanced finish. A wine that opens up slowly and clearly shows grand cru quality.
Flavor profile
Wood
None
Aged in wood barrels
Heavily aged in wood barrels
Acidity
Low acidity
Balanced
High acidity
Fruitiness
Low fruitiness
Balanced
High fruitiness
Structure
Elegant
Balanced
Full-bodied