Ribas de Cabrera 2023
VdT, Ribas, 750 ml
Description
The best that can be made from the Mantonegro grape. This top wine from the oldest vines of Bodega Ribas is only available in top years. What we love about it: It was made with a light, skilful hand. The fruit is crisp, the acidity fresh, the wood ageing subtle, it is ripe and full- bodied, but not a bit heavy. Cherry, plum and pomegranate on the nose, fine roasted notes, warm spices. On the palate it shows tremendous vibration, marvellous fruit sweetness and fine-grained tannins. It almost sings on the palate! And: this top wine is an amazing accompaniment to food. It goes just as well with spicy chicken or beef as it does with Middle Eastern dips, and pairs well with olives, tomatoes and even chocolate.
Attributes
| Grape variety: | Mantonegro, Syrah |
| Producer: | Bodegas Ribas |
| Origin: | Spain / Mallorca |
| Label: | Vegan, Certified organic or biodynamic wine |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 12 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Roast saddle of venison, Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus, Wild specialities, Wild fowl, Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington, Wild boar entrecôte with Spätzli |
| Vinification: | fully destemmed, long must fermentation, fermentation in cement tank, use of traditional basket press, protein fining |
| Harvest: | hand-picking, strict selection, in small boxes, selecting the grapes (by hand) |
| Maturation: | in large wooden barrel/foudre, in new barriques, long cultivation |
| Bottling: | no filtration |
| Maturation duration: | 14 months |
| Volume: | 14.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Syrah
A hint of pepper
The legend stubbornly persists that the Syrah variety came from the Persian city of Shiraz. Yet, researchers have shown that it is a natural crossing of two old French varieties: the red Dureza from the Rhône Valley and the white Mondeuse blanche from Savoy. Wines from Syrah are gentle and concentrated. They smell of dark berries, violets and liquorice, and amaze with a piquant touch of white pepper. As varietal wines, they are found on the northern Rhone, as in the Hermitage or Côte Rôtie appellations, as well as in Swiss Valais. In the southern Rhône Valley, Syrah is often wedded with Grenache and Mourvèdre. In 1832, a Frenchman brought the variety to Australia, where it became the emblem of the national wine industry. There, the weightiest versions develop with typical notes of tar and chocolate.
Mallorca
Mallorca: new premium wines from old varieties
The party island is showing an entirely different, more delightful side: every year, more premium wines are produced in Mallorca. While international varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot yield excellent wines in Mallorca’s terroir, top winemakers increasingly use the best native varieties, such as Manto Negro, Callet and Prensal Blanc. The results are independent wines with Mediterranean charm and surprising freshness.
Spain
Spain – Variety and perfection
“Somewhere in la Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember...,” begins Don Quixote's odyssey.
The most famous part is definitely when Don Quixote thinks windmills are his enemy and wants to fight them – until they nearly kill him. It’s possible there was a bit too much of the La Mancha wine at play. Spanish vines fight for their survival in rugged landscapes, battling fierce drought and rough soils. But they fight well.
