Dominio de Es La Diva 2025

Dominio de Es is Bertrand Sourdais's project at Atauta, on the quiet eastern edge of the Soriana Ribera del Duero. La Diva draws on old bush-trained vines, many pre-phylloxera, planted on sand, limestone and clay at over 950 metres. At that altitude cold nights preserve acidity and aromatic lift in fruit that ripens slowly through long summer days, which is why the wine keeps freshness alongside its depth. The blend is mostly Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, with a small proportion of white Albillo co-fermented in the same vat. Including white grapes stabilises colour through shared pigments and adds perfume and a finer texture to the tannin. It is then aged around 20 months in French oak, which integrates the grape's structure through slow oxygen exchange and adds restrained spice. The wine is deep ruby with a nose of ripe black plum, red berry, liquorice and white flowers over a chalky, earthy base. The palate is full but precise, with firm fine tannin and a long mineral finish set by the limestone. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb and grilled red meat.