What makes this wine unique?

This bodega is one of the most artisanal producers in Ribera del Duero. In concept, neither a business nor a factory, this tiny garage is a place where raw material, selection and precision culminate in great winemaking. Perfil is organically grown utilizing biodynamic viticulture. Hornillos Ballesteros is probably the smallest winery in the region. Perfil is made with the best 1% of bunches from a total of 40 hectares (99 acres) of vineyard land. Only 300 cases made of a wine that will age for more than 20 years.

Rating history:

Grape:

100% Tempranillo.

Pairing Suggestions:

In aroma, palate flavor and texture, this wine is the quintessence of Ribera del Duero. The local dish in Ribera is lechazo, milk-fed suckling lamb that is slow roasted for hours in an earthen oven using only water and salt. For Ribera del Duero wines, this is a match made in heaven, followed closely by chuletas, grilled baby lamb chops, small but incredibly succulent. If you can’t make it to a restaurant in Roa, Peñafiel or Valladolid, New Zealand lamb chops, roasted with lemon zest, garlic and rosemary, is a good substitute, as is grilled rare aged beefsteak, roast pork loin and grilled thick-cut pork chops.

Vinification and ageing:

The wine is aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% old.

Production:

300 Cases made; 40 for the U.S.

Location, Soil, Climate:

The vineyards are in the adjacent villages of Anguix and Roa, at 806 meters (2,644 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 61ºF. 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:

Perfil de Mibal is a glass-staining opaque purple colored wine. It offers up an impressive perfume of pain grille, espresso, scorched earth, incense, and blackberry. Full-bodied on the palate, this dense, packed effort has significant tannin balanced by a boatload of savory fruit. Powerful but very promising potential.

Alcohol Content:

15.0%

UPC Code:

810411011140