Mibal Tinto Joven

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Mibal Joven is a wine made by Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros, a small “garage winery” in the town of Roa within the Ribera del Duero DO region. In 2004, this wine was named best un-oaked wine in Spain. Every year since, Mibal Joven has over-delivered. Great friends, winemakers and owners Miguel Hornillos and Javier Ballesteros are genuine “garagiste” winemakers who come from a long family tradition of grape growing. Eco-friendly vineyard work and a methodical selection of grapes are essential to the unique character and quality of their wines. Miguel's sister and Javier's fiancée, Cristina, is the third proprietor and the “heart and soul” of Hornillos Ballesteros Mibal. In the adjacent villages of Anguix and Roa, the vineyards are situated at 850 meters (2,788 ft.) elevation, within the Burgos subregion of Ribera del Duero (Zone 2) and the winery is located in Roa.

WHAT MAKES THIS WINE UNIQUE?

This wine is 100% unoaked. It is made with organically grown, estate-owned grapes from vines planted from 1965-1989. Mibal Joven is a pure expression of the vineyards in the high elevation Burgos subzone in Ribera del Duero. This wine is made by one of only five “garagiste” bodegas within Ribera del Duero. Mibal Joven is a miniscule production wine.

RATING HISTORY:

2013 89VN; 2011 90W&S; 2009 89IWC; 2005 90RP

GRAPE:

100% Tempranillo. Biodynamically grown vines planted from 1992 - 2000. Tended in limestone, loam and sandy soil at 850 m (2,788ft) elevation. This is a vegan wine.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:

Similar to an excellent Bourgogne Rouge or Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux, a joven Ribera has a fresh fruit personality that is at once simple and irresistibly charming. This wine's character is forward, easy drinking and very easy to pair with both red and white meats, though due the inherent spicy sweetness of Tempranillo, it will fare best with lamb, pork and veal. Grilled steak or chicken salads work well, as well as empanadas.

VINIFICATION AND AGING:

The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks.

PRODUCTION:

1,500 cases

LOCATION, SOIL, CLIMATE:

The vineyards are in the adjacent villages of Anguix and Roa, at 850 meters (2,788 ft.) elevation, in the Burgos subregion of the Ribera del Duero DO (Zone 2). Javier and Miguel own vineyard parcels, each composed of diverse soil types. In the village of Anguix, Javier owns nearly 20 hectares (49 acres) of 75-year-old vines planted in loamy soil composed of 40% sand, 40% fine gravel and 20% thin clay. Poor in nutrients, this soil prevents excessive vegetation and produces smaller, more concentrated berries. Yields are a mere 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) per vine, of grapes with high skin-to-juice ratios, deep pigmentation and well balanced, ripe tannins with rich, intense flavors. In Roa, Miguel owns 20 hectares (50 acres) of vines that average 35 years old, planted in sand and limestone with small particles of clay. Yields are limited further by pruning in early May. Carefully tended vines produce consistently high quality fruit and outstanding wines from vintage to vintage. For climate, the average temperature from April-October is 61F. The Ribera del Duero's Burgos subregion is situated at a higher altitude and, as a result, this area is cooler than either Rueda or Toro to the west. The wines produced in the Burgos area of Ribera are darker, more concentrated and more aromatic than wines from the western part of Ribera. Annual rainfall is a low 18.6 inches. The Continental climate has dry cool nights and hot days with relatively low rainfall. These conditions provide a longer ripening period, which results in wines of intense concentration, complexity and expression.

TASTING NOTES:

Vivid purple. Ripe cherry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by dried flowers and peppery spice. Juicy, supple and extroverted, displaying blueberry and cherry compote flavors and soft tannins. Finishes with very good clarity and sweet persistence.

ALCOHOL CONTENT:

14.0%

UPC CODE:

810411011126