Domain of Es La Diva 2021

Located in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, Dominio de Es cultivates the La Diva cuvée from very old Tempranillo vines, rooted in sandy, poor soils at high altitude. The vineyard lies around the village of Atauta, in the province of Soria, an area renowned for its continental climate characterized by significant temperature variations. These extreme conditions, combined with naturally low yields, promote slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in highly concentrated wines with a strong sense of place.

The grapes are hand-harvested in small crates, with meticulous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery, followed by a cold pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in open vats with gentle punch-downs to subtly extract color and tannins, while malolactic fermentation is carried out in barrels. The wine is then aged for an extended period in French oak barrels, on its fine lees, with infrequent racking to preserve the purity of the fruit and the delicate texture characteristic of this Spanish red wine.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , fresh red fruit , and floral touches, enhanced by spicy nuances and a delicate oakiness with hints of cedar and vanilla . The palate is full and silky, supported by fine tannins and balanced acidity , which lengthens the finish. Mineral and slightly balsamic notes add complexity and freshness, leaving a persistent and harmonious impression.

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.