Item Number: 7214 UPC: None

Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y Leon Sub Region: Castilla y Leon
Appellation/AVA: Ribera del Duero DO
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Tempranillo
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Case Production: 500
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Elevation: 2,644 ft.
About the Wine: Mibal Joven is a wine made by Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros, a small “garage winery” in the town of Roa within the Ribera del Duero DO region. In 2004, this wine was named best un-oaked wine in Spain. Every year since, Mibal Joven has over-delivered. Great friends, winemakers and owners Miguel Hornillos and Javier Ballesteros are genuine “garagiste” winemakers who come from a long family tradition of grape growing. Eco-friendly vineyard work and a methodical selection of grapes are essential to the unique character and quality of their wines. It is made with organically grown, estate-owned grapes from vines planted from 1962-1982. Mibal Joven is a pure expression of the vineyards in the high elevation Burgos subzone in Ribera del Duero.

Location Notes: 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: Vivid purple. Ripe cherry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by dried flowers and peppery spice. Juicy, supple and extroverted, displaying blueberry and cherry compote flavors and soft tannins. Finishes with very good clarity and sweet persistence.