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You may not have heard of Xavier Ausàs, but there’s a good chance you have heard of this winemaker’s previous employer: Ausàs worked at Vega Sicilia and its neighbour, Alión, for 25 years (with 17 of these as technical director). Xavier Ausàs left Vega in 2015 to concentrate on setting up his own, Burgundian-sized family domaine. The following year (to much acclaim) Ausàs launched his first vintage of Interpretación. The building blocks are a number old-vine, high-grown Tinto Fino parcels concentrated around Ribera’s central belt.
While much of Ribera is bewitched by new barrels, Ausàs is notable for his refined use of oak. The grapes are subject to a cold soak and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and concrete vats before aging for 14 months in French oak (only 30% new): half in 225-litre casks and half in 500-litre demi-muid. The grapes are vinified by parcel and blending does not take place until just prior to bottling (unfiltered).
In a region known for reds of blind power, Interpretación stands out for its keynote fruit purity, vibrant aesthetic, fine-grained texture and long, chalky structure. Ausàs believes muscle in Ribera del Duero is a given, but searches for the elusive combination of both strength and elegance.
Xavier Ausàs describes 2019 as a Mediterranean vintage, compared to the cooler Atlantic season of 2018. The nose is deep and layered with waves of red and dark fruits complemented by baking spices, floral notes and subtle oak. The impressive detail continues on the palate where complex and fulsome flavour is supported by plush tannins, fresh natural acidity and incredible length. The aging potential is clearly evident, but there is also a great deal of immediate drinking pleasure to be found with a good decant (and, perhaps, a dry-aged rib eye with pepper sauce). Another very impressive release.