A new farm we are working with this harvest is Monte Líbano - recently acquired by the Valladares family in the western slopes of Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, in the hamlet of La Laguna. Monte Líbano consists of a relatively small planting of about 14 hectares with mostly old Caturra varieties, handsomely spaced as they climb up the hills. The slopes are steeper here and the soils a bit sandier than the dense clay at lower altitudes - they retain less water and drain more quickly. This, paired with a cooler overall climate creates for a livelier acid profile along with a more delicate expression of fruit in the cup. It receives a straight forward washed process with a water-assisted depulping followed by a dry fermentation. The coffee is finally dried on raised beds slowly to retain its delicacy.
The result is impressive and classically Dipilto - intense orange and red fruits in the palate with a dark chocolate and roasted almond backbone. The body is always unique as well, with a distinctive grip and texture to it that these volcanic areas tend to bring to the mix.
We look forward to seeing the progress this farm makes over the next couple of years - the Valladares family has undertaken an effort to renovate about 5 hectares and replant some of the older plants that are on their last legs.
