Dominio Basconcillos, Finca de Altura 2018, Ribera del Duero DO, Spain

About Dominio Basconcillos: Dominio Basconcillos, near Trevino in the Burgos sub-region of Ribera del Duero, was started by José Maria Basconcillos in 2000 with legendary Ribera winemaker, Tomas Postillon.

The whole bodega is modern, large and surrounded by its own vineyards on the high plateau at 960m, crucial to allowing later ripening and a higher glycerol content in the wines. Using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods and with more Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot planted than their neighbours, this is a top bodega with intentions to be a wine of reference in Ribera del Duero for the future. The Ribera del Duero DO stretches 115km from Valladolid and Peñafiel to Aranda in the east. The substrata is silty clay over limestone with poor alluvial deposits nearer the river and finer chalk at higher altitude. It is on the chalky soils near Trevino that Basconcillos sits. Altitude is important: Basconcillos benefits from cooler temperatures and better diurnal variation. This is a high frost risk area, costs are higher than the world average, and vintages are more variable than in Rioja. However, the intensity of flavours and density of these wines make them more age-worthy and certainly a counterpoint to their famous neighbour, while being ‘Spanish’ in their warmth and generosity, and world class in quality.

Vinification: Located at 960 m altitude with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard and transported to the winery in small 12 kilo boxes to maintain maximum respect for the quality of the fruit. A final selection of the grapes in the winery on the sorting table with subsequent cold pre-fermentation maceration at 5 degrees for 5 days. Gentle daily pumping over. The vineyards own yeasts carry out alcoholic fermentation spontaneously in controlled temperatures between 20 – 26 degrees. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 20-22 degrees and is aged in French oak barrels for 8 months.

Description: Deep intense ruby colour. Fine, elegant nose with marked fruity character of fresh summer berries mingled with a subtle hint of spice and toast in the background. Very pleasant spicy cherry on the palate with a silky texture and mineral notes. Balanced acidity finely wrapped with polished tannins and subtle hints of toast, spices and vanilla that fill the palate. Recommended to decant 30 minutes before serving.

ABV: 14.5%

Awards: 92 points Guía Vinos Gourmets 2021