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Why We Love It:
Xavier Ausas spent 25 years working for the famous Vega Sicilia Group (from 1990 to 2015), where he served as Technical Director between 1998 and 2015, and as an assistant to Mariano García between 1990 to 1997. Over this time he gained valuable experience and knowledge of the different sub-regions of the Ribera del Duero, leading to Xavier’s creation of a brand new project in the region based on three pillars: Aromatic Purity, Freshness and Elegant Tannin structure. Working side by side with trusted growers who, moreover, are all friends, Ausàs, sources grapes for this wine from some of the very top sites in the appellation. Consequently, each plot must not only fit his wine style, but must also be complement the fruit sourced from other sites making up the blend. Within the broad and complex landscape of Ribera del Duero wines, Ausas favours the floral character of grapes grown on light soils, the generous forward fruit from grapes grown on clay soils, bright freshness from high-altitude vineyards, and sheer power obtained from calcareous soils.
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Recipes:
Here are a few of our favourite pairings (with recipes) for this delicious wine:
Lamb Tenderloin w/ Pea & Mint Risotto – RECIPE
Truffled Beef Tartare – RECIPE
Pan Seared Ribeye w/ Miso Butter – RECIPE
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Price:
$249.99 per 1.5L – Available by the Case of 1
PRIVATE IMPORT – ORDER HERE
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Tasting Notes:
“In its first year, the 2016 Interpretación is Tempranillo from over 40-year-old head-pruned vines on sand, clay and limestone soils with plenty of stones at 900 meters 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. I was blown away by the wine in bottle, after tasting the 2017 in barrel. This is Ausás’s interpretation of Ribera del Duero after 30 years of experience. He’s sourcing grapes from specific growers that he 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. My guess is the wine should develop nicely and for a very long time in bottle.”
95 out of 100 Points – RobertParker.com
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“An exceptional first vintage, from a winemaker who knows Ribera del Duero intimately and understands blending. Dark fruit, liquorice and blueberry aromatics, not in the least oaky. Elegant, pure and refined overall. Fine-grained tannin adds texture and interest, overlaid by black fruits and running through the palate is the keynote freshness of this producer’s philosophy. ‘This wine is a keeper,’ says winemaker Xavier Ausás, ‘a minimum of 15 years.”
95 out of 100 Points – Decanter Magazine
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“Xavier Ausàs used to work at Vega Sicilia but now has his own label. This is an impressive début using fruit from five growers: polished and refined with scented vanilla spice and palate-cleansing elegance.”
95 out of 100 Points – Tim Atkin, MW
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