Viñas Viejas de Soria 2021

Located in the heart of the province of Soria, in the easternmost part of the Ribera del Duero, the Dominio de Es vineyard is rooted in the high-altitude slopes surrounding the village of Atauta. These plots of old vines, often pre-phylloxera, rest on soils that blend sand, clay, and limestone, creating a cool, continental environment characterized by significant temperature variations. The geographical isolation of this unspoiled valley allows for meticulous viticulture, resulting in concentrated and balanced grapes, emblematic of this unique terroir in Castile and León.

The grapes for Viñas Viejas de Soria are hand-harvested into small crates, then carefully sorted before whole-cluster fermentation in open vats, with gentle punch-downs to delicately extract color and tannins. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in barrels. The wine is aged for an extended period in French oak barrels to refine the structure, add aromatic complexity, and preserve the characteristic freshness of Soria's old vines, before bottling without excessive filtration.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , fresh red fruit , and violet , enhanced by hints of sweet spices , pepper , and licorice , along with nuances of toasted wood and cedar . The palate is full and silky, supported by fresh acidity , fine yet present tannins , and a long, precise, and slightly mineral finish that elegantly prolongs the aromatic sensations.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.