- HOME
- |
- WINES
- |
- DISTRIBUTORS
- |
- PHOTOS
- |
- GRAPHIC RESOURCES
- |
- ABOUT
- |
- SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- |
- CONTACT
- |
- LATEST
Dacu
Dacu
Dacu is a single-vineyard wine made by Bodegas Emeritas in the DO of Ribera del Guadiana. Formerly known as Bodegas Ortiz, Bodegas Emeritas was founded in 2007 by Jose Ortiz, Alberto Orte and Patrick Mata with the goal of making a superb value wine. The second largest appellation in Spain, Ribera del Guadiana is currently one of the most unknown wine regions in Spain and abroad. Ribera del Guadiana shows a different side of Tempranillo than Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro. Similar to the great grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, Tempranillo has an ability to adapt itself to different climatic conditions and geographies and communicate the character of the place where it is grown before imparting its own personality. The sublime Tempranillo grape can transmit all the minute differences of its terroir. In Ribera del Guadiana, Tempranillo shows intense raspberry flavors, silky tannins, lots of dense, luscious fruit and balanced acidity that is bright and fresh.
What makes this wine unique?
High elevation vineyards and exposure to cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean. The diversity of soils in the vineyard (clay and limestone) produces consistent quality wines in dry or wet years. Dacu is an incredible value! Dacu reveals a sense of place through Tempranillo that is a completely different expression than that of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro.
Grape:
100% Tempranillo
Pairing Suggestions:
This easy-drinking red has a charming personality that goes well with many kinds of casual foods. It also has enough structure, “cut” and acidity to pair well with more elaborate main courses that feature red or white meat, poultry and even flakey fish.
Vinification and ageing:
Dacu’s vineyard is divided into three different soil types, so it is vinified in three different methods to suit the fruit from each soil type. The Tempranillo grapes that come from limestone soil undergo a higher degree of extraction with extended maceration, a greater frequency of pumping over and “rack and return,” also called delestage. The Tempranillo grapes that come from the clay section of the vineyard undergo a very light maceration without pumping over or delestage, but with a soaking of the cap three times a day for one week. The third section of the vineyard is composed of clay-heavy limestone. These Tempranillo grapes are typically mixed with their skins for two weeks, and the maceration is limited to a light soaking of the cap. After maceration and fermentation are complete, the wine is put into barrel where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for three months in French oak barrels, three years old.
Production:
4,330 cases are made; 3,300 for the U.S.
Location, Soil, Climate:
The vineyards in the Ribera del Guadiana DO are located in Zone 6, just west of La Mancha, near the Portuguese border. This large region is divided into 6 subzones: Tierra de Barros, Ribera Alta, Ribera Baja, Cañamero, Montanchez and Matanegra. Dacu comes from Matanegra, the third highest district after Montanchez and Cañamero. The high-altitude vineyard, at 640 meters (2,100 ft.) elevation, is located in the town of El Raposo. Here, the wide range of day and night temperatures enhances the Tempranillo’s bright aromas and flavors. This vineyard’s altitude exposes the grapes to Atlantic breezes, which makes this site cooler than other vineyards in the region. The 18-hectare (45 acre) vineyard is comprised of sections with three different soil types: clay, limestone and sand. All Tempranillo vines were planted in 1993, and are trained on double cordon trellises with 2 wires, achieving greater shade due to the umbrella effect of the trellis training. For climate, the area’s average temperature from April-October is 68ºF and the annual rainfall averages 21 inches. Here, high daytime temperatures are offset by cool night temperatures, which slow the ripening cycle of the grape, and give the grapes more intensity of flavor.
Tasting notes:
Dacu is exceptionally fragrant with aromas of rose petals, cinnamon, cranberry, and raspberry. Plush and tasty on the palate.
Alcohol Content:
15.0%
UPC Code:
810411012925
