Dominio de Es La Diva 2020

Region and Vineyards

The Dominio de Es La Diva comes from the eastern end of the Ribera del Duero region in Soria, Spain. This area is characterized by its continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, creating ideal conditions for viticulture. The vineyard's calcareous and sandy soils provide excellent drainage, contributing to the distinctive minerality and complexity of the wines.

The vineyards, composed of pre-phylloxera vines over a century old, are meticulously managed with a focus on sustainable and biodynamic practices. This ensures the health and vitality of the vines, resulting in grapes with intense flavors and remarkable depth.

Winemaking

The Dominio de Es La Diva is crafted from 100% Tempranillo grapes. The winemaking process begins with a long maceration period of 51 days, which allows for optimal extraction of flavors and tannins. The wine is then aged in three used Burgundian barrels from November 2020 until February 2022, totaling a long élevage period that imparts additional complexity and structure to the wine.

This vintage of La Diva is notable for its moderate alcohol content of 13.42%, lower than previous years. The extended aging and careful handling during vinification result in a wine that is both elegant and subtle, with the potential for long-term aging.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep cherry red with violet highlights.
• Aroma: Elegant and subtle, featuring notes of cherries, wild herbs, and a touch of minerality.
• Palate: The wine presents a refined structure with balanced acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a long, persistent finish. It is slightly introverted and will benefit from patience, revealing more complexity over time.

Did you know?

The Dominio de Es La Diva 2020 is produced in extremely limited quantities, with only 841 bottles filled in February 2022. This wine is a true expression of the Soria terroir, showcasing the unique characteristics of its pre-phylloxera vines and biodynamic practices.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roast Lamb: The wine's refined tannins and herbal notes complement the rich flavors of roast lamb.
• Duck Confit: The acidity and subtle complexity of the wine balance the savory and fatty nature of duck confit.
• Aged Manchego Cheese: The depth and minerality of the wine pair beautifully with the nutty and tangy profile of aged Manchego.

History of Dominio de Es Estate

Bertrand Sourdais began his journey in Soria in 1999, where he encountered ancient, pre-phylloxera vineyards. These vines, some of which are over a century old, form the backbone of Dominio de Es. The winery was officially established in 2011 and focuses on producing small yields from 25 plots spread across 3.5 hectares in the village of Atauta. These plots are rented for 15 years, except for the vineyards La Diva and La Mata, which produce highly sought-after single-vineyard wines.

Dominio de Es is deeply committed to biodynamic practices and minimal intervention winemaking, allowing the natural characteristics of the terroir to shine through in their wines. Sourdais also owns Domaine de Pallus in Chinon, France, and runs another project in Ribera del Duero called Bodegas Antídoto, showcasing his dedication to crafting unique and high-quality wines in various regions​​.

Region and Vineyards

Dominio de Es is located in the eastern end of the Ribera del Duero, within the province of Soria. This area is characterized by a continental climate with significant temperature variations between day and night, which is ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The vineyards are planted on calcareous and sandy soils, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the distinct minerality of the wines.

The vineyards are meticulously managed, with a focus on sustainable practices to maintain the health and vitality of the vines. The combination of old vines, unique soils, and careful vineyard management results in grapes with intense flavors and complexity, essential for producing world-class wines.

Wine Range

Dominio de Es produces a range of wines that highlight the exceptional quality of their vineyards. Their flagship wine, Viñas Viejas de Soria, is a blend of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and Albillo, sourced from their oldest vineyards. This wine is known for its depth, elegance, and aging potential.

They also produce highly limited single-vineyard wines, such as La Diva and La Mata, which are renowned for their distinctiveness and quality.

These wines are aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels, which adds complexity and integrates the flavors beautifully. The meticulous winemaking process ensures that each bottle reflects the unique terroir and the dedication of Bertrand Sourdais to his craft.

Did you know?

Dominio de Es utilizes pre-phylloxera vines, some of which are more than 100 years old. These ungrafted vines provide a rare and pure expression of the Soria terroir, producing wines with unparalleled depth and complexity. The winery's commitment to biodynamic practices further enhances the natural qualities of these exceptional vineyards.