2016 Bodegas Áster Crianza, Ribera Del Duero, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Tinta del País from the estate-owned Fuentecojo, Otero joven and La Cueva vineyards surrounding our winery in Anguix, Burgos. They are planted on silt-loam soils at an altitude close to 780 m/2560 ft above sea level.

On October 15, we started to pick the grapes by hand, transporting them in small, 20 kg/44 lb boxes. The first selection was carried out at the vineyard, and we collected only the best bunches, perfectly ripe and in top condition. A second selection was carried out at the winery sorting table. After gentle destemming and crushing, the grapes were placed in tanks where they underwent alcoholic fermentation at a temperature below 28°C/82°F. After 16 days of fermenting and macerating, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, with weekly bâttonages over a two-month period. It was aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels (70%) and the rest in French oak barrels with two wines. We racked this wine three times, employing traditional methods, and bottled it in February 2019.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

In the 1990s, La Rioja Alta decided to try their luck in the Ribera del Duero, where terroir and microclimate meet to invite the utmost expression of the Tempranillo grape. They sought the best possible site following the advice of the Denomination’s best growers and different academic experts. Also, La Rioja Alta studied and analysed the soil, grapes and weather of many different subzones. Anguix (Burgos) was finally selected as the ideal location and in 1991 they planted the vineyard on land that was purchased the previous year. They chose to name this new venture Bodegas Aster after a Spanish flower that blooms at harvest.

The grapes from the first seven harvests were sold. In 2000, having verified the quality of the vineyard and the grapes, a winery was built representing a perfect combination of cutting-edge wine-making technology and timeless elegance in design. That year saw the creation of the first Áster offering.