{"product_id":"2013-dominio-de-atauta-la-mala","title":"2013 Dominio de Atauta La Mala","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2013 Dominio de Atauta La Mala is one of Ribera del Duero’s most elusive treasures: a single-vineyard Tempranillo released in tiny quantities and held back at the estate to mature in bottle before release. Drawn from just 0.7 hectares of old vines, this is a wine that marries power with poise, showcasing the high-altitude elegance of the remote Atauta Valley. Only 950 bottles were produced, and the wine has already earned high critical praise, including 95\/100 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, underscoring its collector-worthy status.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2013 La Mala is a deep, luminous purple-red, with rich color saturation that clings to the sides of the glass in fine, slow-moving legs. The youthful intensity of its hue hints at both concentration and longevity.\n\nThe nose is intricate and continually evolving: at first, floral notes of violets and dried flowers, then layers of fine oak spice, Mediterranean herbs, tobacco leaf, and supple leather emerge with air. Subtle hints of dark cherries, blackberries, graphite, and sweet baking spices weave in and out, giving the bouquet great depth and complexity. On the palate, La Mala is medium-bodied yet remarkably intense, with a core of fresh, dark fruit framed by vibrant acidity and refined, chalky tannins. It feels polished and precise rather than heavy, with beautifully defined flavors that echo the nose—black cherry, plum skin, violet, tobacco, spice, and a touch of savory earth. The finish is long, persistent, and extremely detailed, with the flavors lingering almost endlessly. While already compelling, the wine has the structure and freshness to age gracefully for another 10–15 years from vintage, gaining tertiary notes of truffle, cured meat, and dried herbs over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Mala is sourced from a minute, 0.7-hectare single vineyard in the isolated Atauta Valley at the eastern edge of Ribera del Duero, in Soria, Spain. Here, old Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) vines grow at high altitude on a mosaic of poor, limestone-rich soils with sandy and clay elements, which naturally limit yields and intensify flavor while preserving acidity. The harsh continental climate, with hot days, cool nights, and a short growing season, further contributes to the wine’s tension and aromatic complexity. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested at optimum ripeness, sorted meticulously in the cellar, and vinified in small lots to capture the character of this single plot. Fermentation typically takes place in temperature-controlled vats with gentle extraction to avoid over-extracting the naturally concentrated fruit. The wine is then aged in high-quality French oak barrels—often for around 16–18 months—allowing tannins to refine and aromatics to integrate without overwhelming the vineyard’s distinctive expression. After bottling, La Mala is held back for extended bottle aging at the domaine before release, ensuring additional harmony and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2013 Dominio de Atauta La Mala shines alongside refined yet flavorful dishes that complement its aromatic complexity and elegant structure. Think grilled or roasted lamb, slow-braised beef cheeks, Iberico pork presa, or game birds such as pigeon and quail. Mushroom-based dishes—wild mushroom ragout, truffle risotto, or roasted root vegetables with herbs—also work beautifully, as do aged Manchego or other hard sheep’s milk cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression of fruit and aromatics. A decant of 60–90 minutes is recommended in its youth to allow the wine to unwind and reveal its full spectrum of floral, herbal, and savory notes; older bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant mainly to separate any sediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDominio de Atauta is a pioneering estate in the far eastern reaches of Ribera del Duero, in the secluded Atauta Valley in Soria, where some of Spain’s oldest pre-phylloxera Tempranillo vineyards survive. Founded with the vision of revealing the unique terroir of this high-altitude, limestone-dominated landscape, the winery quickly gained recognition for its precision-made, site-specific wines, which stand apart in the region for their freshness, finesse, and mineral drive. Dominio de Atauta works almost exclusively with old vines, many ungrafted, and focuses on organic, low-intervention viticulture to preserve the integrity of each parcel. The single-vineyard bottlings like La Mala represent the pinnacle of their philosophy, highlighting micro-terroirs in tiny quantities that have earned consistent acclaim from international critics and helped place the secluded Atauta Valley firmly on the map of Spain’s great wine sites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dominio de Atauta","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251860492625,"sku":"GCW-AMICI-1324442","price":114.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2013_Dominio_de_Atauta_La_Mala.png?v=1783441921","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2013-dominio-de-atauta-la-mala","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}