RESERVA, DOMINIO DEL ÁGUILA

It has a somewhat shy nose but it is very elegant. The wine has been bottled recently, and that can make it a bit tight and subtle, and it clearly improves with air as it sits in the glass. It is still young, and the palate reveals a lot of energy; the flavors are very pure and the wine precise and delineated. The tannins are very fine and provide a calcareous texture and an almost salty touch on the finish.

Together with his wife, Isabel Rodero, Jorge founded Dominio del Águila in 2010, and they have expanded their vineyards to 66 hectares. Farming is certified organic and Isabel, an architect, supervised the renovation of three ancient cellars dating to the 15th century dug deep into the bedrock under the village. Natural yeast, whole cluster co-fermentations are the first step in the process with pigeage done by foot. After primary fermentation, the wines are placed in oak barrels for malo and aging. Their cold, subterranean cellars ensure that their wines’ evolution proceeds slowly, allowing for the development of greater complexity and nuance. Dominio del Águila’s vineyards are all situated around the village of La Aguilera – so in that sense, they are all village wines.