Áster Finca El Otero Ribera del Duero 2019

This wine is only produced in exceptional vintages. The 100% Tinta del País grapes come from the single site of Finca El Otero in Anguix, Burgos. This plot is located at 850m on gently eroded slopes in dry, non-fertile clay-loam top quality soils, where the vines have to struggle, producing deep roots resulting in complexity in the resulting wine. The plot was planted over 60 years ago, with an ideal exposure which combines with the soils to produce low yields of concentrated juice. As the grapes come from a specific plot, the wine highlights the nuances of the vintage. Áster is committed to respecting and protecting the environment. In the vineyard, treatments are limited, investments have been made into clean energy sources and water is reused. Insect shelters have been installed in vineyards, promoting environmentally-friendly plant health defence while increasing the biodiversity in the vineyard. The grapes are handharvested at optimal ripeness.

Picking took place during the cold morning temperatures, to retain the grape’s freshness and integrity. These cold conditions enabled a completely natural, pre-fermentation cold soak for seven days. Alcoholic fermentation followed, which began spontaneously with wild yeasts and lasted 18 days. The wine was then transferred to new French oak barrels where it underwent weekly bâtonnage and after 72 days, it finished malolactic conversion. At the end of this stage, the best barrels were selected to commence ageing in new French oak for 16 months, during which time, two traditional-style rackings took place.