This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for Ribera del Duero over £15 went to Matanegra, Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera del Duero 2010 (14%)
Tasted against:
- Cillar de Silos, La Viña de Amalio, Ribera del Duero 2009
- Comenge, Ribera del Duero 2009
- Viña Mayor, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva 2007
Profile:
Matanegra is a collaboration between José Luis Escudero and César Martín, set up in 2005: Escudero is technical director and Martin oversees the finances and logistics.
‘It is the result of a profound reflection onwhat we wanted to do with these ancient grapes that belonged to our fore fathers. The experience they gained over years of caring for these vineyards and the development of local wines was the perfect platform for the creation of Matanegra cellar.’
The 20-hectare, biodynamic estate certainly has historic credentials. Whereas a lot of Ribera del Duero went through a period of major replanting in the 1980s and 1990s, the average age of the vines that produced this Trophy winneris 90 years, densely planted on south-facing slopes that protect them from the biting winters.
‘Quality, quality, quality,’ is the working standard Martin applies to each of their three wines, but the Vendimia Seleccionada is Matanegra’s crown jewel. Only made in certain years, it is the ultimate expression of the Tempranillo grape from its land and, in Martin’s words, is the fruit of ‘all our hard work and the unique terroir, concentrated into one bottle’.
Written by Decanter
