Ausàs Interpretación 2017

This time I only tasted the bottled 2017 Interpretación that I had tasted from barrel in my previous review of the zone. I'd say the wine is really impressive given the adverse conditions of the vintage, and it delivered what it promised from barrel: a modern, clean and nicely crafted Tempranillo with ripe flavors and generous oak, classically built to last. It matured in oak barrels, 40% new and 50% of 500-liters, for 16 months. 22,500 bottles and some large-format bottles were produced. It was bottled in June 2019. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

A delightfully polished wine, rounded out by bottle age. Scented with roses, violets and blue fruits, with a note of cedar. In the mouth it’s fresh, with plush dark cherry and plum fruit, a sprinkling of spice, and a refreshing line of bright acidity. Powerful, showing the concentration of the smaller frost and drought-hit vintage, with a driving, long finish. The quality of the blend shows winemaker Xavier Ausás' expert knowledge of the region.

Ausàs is the personal project of Catalan Xavier Ausàs, who was the long-term winemaker at Vega Sicilia. Now in its second vintage, it combines grapes from Pesquera, Roa, Nava, Moradillo and Gumiel de Mercado and is very much a regional style, albeit one with the emphasis on chalky freshness. Deftly wooded, with plenty of colour, floral intensity and layers of red and dark berry fruit. An impressive follow up to the maiden release. 2022-29