2012 Noble & Murat LBV

Hand harvesting, vinified and aged separately. In a return to ancient techniques to help with the extraction of color, structure and flavor, the grapes are destemmed and 100% foot-trodden in granite lagares. During the fermentation and maceration there is a re-introduction of layers of lignified stems which yields a wine that is drier and higher in natural acidity. The wine is then bottled unfiltered after four years of ageing in stainless steel and 150 year-old seasoned chestnut vats.

It is respectably concentrated for this elegant vintage and well on the fresher side, consistent with the vintage and the stainless steel. It has beautiful fresh fruit, purity and focus. The fruit is expressive and capable of developing more complexity in time. The lingering finish is laced with chocolate and blueberries, but it dries quickly, showing off good structure, too.