Lácar producer making Ars Nova, a Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot red matured in concrete and French oak.
The producer
Compañía Vitivinícola Tandem is based in Lácar, Navarra, on the northwestern boundary of the Navarra DO. Alicia Eyaralar is the oenologist and co founder, and José María Fraile is a founding partner. The producer works Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in red wines, with mostly Viura in whites. Ars Nova is a red blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, matured in concrete and then in 300 litre French oak. Fermentation uses pigeage without mechanical pumps, and the wines receive minimal filtration.
Known for
Concrete aged Navarra red blends
Notable facts
Founded in January 2003 by Alicia Eyaralar, José María Fraile and a small group of relatives and friends.
Based in Lácar at the northwestern boundary of the Navarra DO.
Works Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in reds, with mostly Viura in whites.
Ars Nova is a Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend matured in concrete and French oak.
Fermentation uses pigeage without mechanical pumps.
The story
When Tandem Began
In January 2003, Alicia Eyaralar and José María Fraile founded Compañía Vitivinícola Tandem with a small group of relatives and friends. They came to the project after extensive careers in winemaking and marketing, first together and later separately in different wineries. The name Tandem means “at last.” It represents the aspiration of the two promoters to fulfil a dream and the mission they had taken on. Pedro Jesús and Angel Lizarraga, a father and son, were also founding partners and provide a fundamental part of Tandem's grape supply.
From the atlas
Compañía Vitivinícola Tandem
A Lácar producer in Navarra's Yerri Valley, Compañía Vitivinícola Tandem works with red and white grape varieties and uses gravity handling with concrete maturation.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Navarra
Place
Lácar, in the Yerri Valley
Red grapes
Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Ars Nova
White grape
Mostly Viura
Signature wine
Ars Nova
Defining feature
Gravity handling and concrete maturation
The Producer
Alicia Eyaralar had her first grape harvest in Bierzo in 1989 and has had a professional career linked to the Navarra DO since 1991. She is Tandem's oenologist and co founder. José María Fraile and a small group of wine loving relatives and friends founded the company with her in January 2003.
The project followed extensive careers in winemaking and marketing, first together and later separately in different wineries. Pedro Jesús and Angel Lizarraga, a father and son who are also founding partners, provide a fundamental part of Tandem's grape supply.
Place
Cold climate and plentiful winds mark the Yerri Valley, a fertile valley at the northwestern boundary of the Navarra DO. The valley's conditions favor viticulture with minimal intervention. Tandem is based in Lácar, Navarra, within this northern part of the denomination.
Wines
Tandem's grape range covers Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in red wines, with mostly Viura in whites. Ars Nova 2018 is a red blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It receives at least 24 months in concrete vats followed by nine months in 300 litre French oak barrels. It is neither cold stabilized nor fined and receives minimal filtration before release. The wine has 14.5% alcohol.
In The Glass
Ars Nova is deep ruby with a violet rim. The nose is fresh and complex, with ripe red and black fruit, balsamic notes, bramble berries, blueberries, liquorice and blackberries. Scrubland, thyme and mint add herbal notes. The palate is long and enveloping.
A Bottle To Understand It
Start with Ars Nova. It is a red wine made from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, three of the producer's red varieties. Its cellar sequence runs from concrete to French oak, with malolactic fermentation and natural clarification in concrete. The bottle combines the three variety blend with this concrete to oak progression.
Final Word
Tandem harvests during the coolest hours of the day so its grapes retain their freshness.