Ausas - Interpretacion2020
RED WINE
- Producer
- Blend 100% Tempranillo
- Country Spain
- Region Castilla Y Leon
- Appellation Ribera del Duero
- UPC 8437018926190
Reviews
Decanter 94
The child of an irregular vintage, with both cold and hot spells, this has an elegant, mineral tannic framework that lends it verticality and poise throughout. The crunchy red and blue fruit is cloaked in salty liquorice, cardamom, nutmeg and clove, with sage and tarragon playing in the background. Wet stone freshness and a subtle smokey layer of tobacco add both depth and lift. Great focus and pleasantly chalky texture.
by IS, Decanter , 2024
Technical Details
Description
Ausàs is a new project from Javier Ausàs. While most of us in the states are not familiar with him we definitely know his work, he was the head winemaker at Vega Sicilia and the technical director for their other properties for the last 17 years. With over 23 working at Vega Sicilia Javier has a deep understanding of the region, it’s vineyards and Tempranillo. This wine, the only wine he makes for this project is a blend of several plots from across the region as to get the broadest range of aspects from Tempranillo, lighter soils, higher elevation plots, plots with more clay and others that are real chalky. This is a wine of beauty and power, just as you would expect.Interpretación is Tempranillo from over 40-year-old head-pruned vines on sand, clay and limestone soils with plenty of stones at 3000 feet in altitude. It went through a cold soak and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and concrete vats. It matured for 16 months in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels, 40% of them new. The grapes are sourced from specific growers that Javier has known for a long time, as he had purchased grapes for Alión from many of them. The wine shows the character of Ribera, a chalky backbone of fine-grained tannins, coated by fruit and berries, an herbal, spicy touch and perfectly integrated oak. There is good freshness, a rare combination of elegance and power and superb balance.