Ausàs Interpretación 2023

Ausàs Interpretación is a varietal Tempranillo from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made by Xavier Ausàs, who was Vega Sicilia's winemaker for three decades. He works without his own vineyards, sourcing from growers he has known for more than 30 years to secure old-vine fruit that expresses the typicity of the Ribera. The region sits high on the northern Duero plateau, where a harsh continental climate brings hot days and very cold nights, and that extreme diurnal range builds deep colour, thick skins and ripe tannin while holding the acidity, which shows in the wine's 15% alcohol and concentration. After fermentation the wine ages in oak barrels, where slow oxygen ingress through the wood firms and rounds the abundant tannins and folds in vanilla, spice and a dark chocolate note. It pours a dark cherry red and opens with black fruits, blackberry and plum, interwoven with liquorice, cocoa and a peppery, earthy depth. The palate is powerful and full bodied, the tannins firm but ripe, the finish long. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast or grilled red meat.