{"product_id":"2016-dominio-de-atauta-valdegatiles","title":"2016 Dominio de Atauta Valdegatiles","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 Dominio de Atauta Valdegatiles is one of the flagship single-vineyard expressions from one of Ribera del Duero’s most exciting high-altitude estates. Sourced from tiny, ancient plots at nearly 1,000 meters, it shows just how refined, layered and ageworthy Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) can be when old vines and meticulous winemaking meet. This is a limited-production wine with a powerful yet finely etched profile, capturing the unique character of the Valdegatiles terroir within just 1,515 bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2016 Valdegatiles shows a very deep, dark cherry core with a vivid purple edge, reflecting both concentration and youth. The nose is intensely perfumed with luminous red fruit—wild cherry, redcurrant and raspberry—layered with notes of dried flowers, subtle spice, fine cocoa, and a touch of graphite and underbrush, all framed by discreet French oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is both powerful and remarkably poised. The hallmark of Valdegatiles is the interplay between bright, red-fruited freshness and a firm, clay-driven structure, and 2016 delivers exactly that: dense, mouthfilling red fruit, vibrant acidity and finely grained tannins that feel persistent yet polished. Savoury nuances of tobacco leaf, sweet baking spice and a hint of mineral salinity emerge with air, leading to a very long, layered finish. Built for the long haul, this vintage has excellent aging potential; it will gain complexity and tertiary notes (leather, truffle, cedar) over 10–20 years in a good cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eValdegatiles is a mere 1.09 hectares, divided into 9 micro-parcels of Tinto Fino vines around 120 years old, rooted in clay-rich soils at high altitude in the far eastern Ribera del Duero. This cool, elevated site, combined with the water-retaining clay, yields low quantities of intensely flavoured grapes with natural freshness and structure. Harvest took place by hand on 21 October 2016, with a tiny yield of 3,270 kg, followed by a double selection of bunches and berries. The must was transferred by gravity into a 1,000-litre stainless steel tank, where it underwent 6 days of cold maceration (under 10ºC) with two daily punch-downs. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts lasted 11 days at a maximum of 27ºC, with the cap management adjusted to the wine’s needs, followed by 13 further days of post-fermentation maceration to fine-tune structure. Malolactic fermentation and élevage took place in French oak barrels for 16 months (20% new, 80% second use), resulting in only 1,515 bottles produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis wine calls for richly flavoured, carefully prepared dishes that can stand up to its intensity and structure. Think roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, slow-braised beef cheeks, Iberian pork, or game dishes like venison with red wine reduction; it also pairs beautifully with mature hard cheeses such as Manchego viejo or aged Comté. Serve at 16–18°C for optimal expression. Decanting is strongly recommended—at least 1–2 hours for current drinking—to allow the wine to open and soften, especially in its youth, revealing the full spectrum of red fruit, spice and mineral detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDominio de Atauta was founded after wine importer Miguel Sánchez stumbled upon the forgotten Atauta Valley in the far eastern reaches of Ribera del Duero—an area dotted with abandoned, ancient vineyards, centuries-old underground cellars and even 13th-century stone presses. Recognising the extraordinary patrimony of very old Tinto Fino vines (many between 60 and 160 years old) at nearly 1,000 meters altitude, he set about reviving these plots and vinifying them with meticulous, parcel-by-parcel care and strict organic practices. Today, Dominio de Atauta is regarded as one of the reference estates of the region, demonstrating that this cooler, higher part of Ribera can produce some of Spain’s most refined, terroir-driven and world-class Tempranillo wines, with single-vineyard bottlings like Valdegatiles at the very top of the range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dominio de Atauta","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255288156497,"sku":"GCW-AMIC-16101624","price":125.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2012_Dominio_de_Atauta_Valdegatiles_2.png?v=1783458342","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2016-dominio-de-atauta-valdegatiles","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}