Ausàs

Xavier Ausàs, the ex-winemaker at Vega Sicilia who knows Ribera del Duero better than almost anyone, has begun to make his own wine from grapes sourced from the surrounding villages. His second vintage, the vibrant and juicy 2017, is more classical than his 2016 with a dark garnet colour, a brooding nose of dark chocolate, blueberries and licorice and a velvety, round and generous texture. Ribera wines are always rich and powerful but this one is well poised, elegant in spite of its density with a fresh briary finish which lingers on. Beautifully made this can be enjoyed young with vigorous decanting or will age well for at least ten years.