Hello Dimitri,

today Natural wine. «Vins Nus» is architect Alfredo Arribas' most natural project in Priorat and Montsant. Yet the «Instabile» series probably represents the most cheerful side of it. Alfredo's idea of the infinite vineyardwhich we will talk about several times in the future, is consistently lived out here thanks to total freedom in cuvetting and experimentation.
Read an English excerpt here 🙏

alfredo arribas at his vins nus winery celler

Vins Nus - everything is in flux

Already the labels of Vins Nus reveal the close artistic-architectural connection that defines Arribase's creativity in winemaking. There is a drawing that recalls the sculptures of Calder reminds us, more precisely, of its mobiles - kinetic sculptures that are set in motion by a motor or simply by the wind.

vins nus label inspired by calder
Dimitri, rarely have I seen stronger Consistency between the outside and the inside of a bottle: the wines from the «Instabile» series are mobile, shape-changing. Changing, also through the Sulphur waiver. They live between the movement that produced them (without distinguishing between grapes, vintages or winemaking methods) and that which takes place after the bottle is opened. Then the wines show all their lively generosity.

The Unstable Line

But there is another sign, another story, on the label. It is a story of accuracy. Calder again, the Freedom in artsupported by technical knowledge. At Unstable project the wines are defined by numbers that put them in order, they are part of a whole, a discourse that unfolds organically and in an organised way. Is it too much at this point Roman Opalka to mention?

I have the impression that Arribas in his project «Portal del Priorat» gives shape to his dreams, while in «Vins Nus» wide awake and playing with the energy of a child in an endless playground with his favourite toys.
old vine with young shoot at vins nus winery
Text and wine expertise: J. Gobbi & D. Taits
Photos: Vins Nus Winery, Alfredo Arribas

Unstable No. 10

«In Albis»

Here, too, the label already shows some details, such as the maturation in amphorae and concrete eggs as well as the mash contact.
The small deposit on the bottom of the bottle confirms the lack of filtration.
A hazy golden yellow in the glass, it opens on the nose with intense scents, but sharp and focused: fresh strawberry, wilted lily and rose, burnt popcorn, cardamom, freshly cut grass and, with time, a quiet chamomile...
Intense scents, as I said, but refreshed by a mineral base, like marble or glazed ceramics.
The palate is tasty, well balanced between delicate, hinted tannins and a moderate acidity that makes it juicy without overdriving it. The finish plays with a hint of walnut that recalls some tannins and gives them new life.
Serve at a temperature of about 12 degrees to observe the different stages as it warms up.
Instabile No.10 In Albis 2019 - Vins Nus
(Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Cartoixà, Muscat)

Unstable n.9
«Mea Culpa»

Bloody, ruby red in the glass. And the term "blood" already emerges on the nose, with notes of iron that combine with raspberries, wisteria, tomato leaves, pepper and a hint of dark tobacco.
The mouth is lively with a spicy texture, almost tingling on the tongue. Again an iron taste, but also lively, fluid, flowing.... Really tannic, balanced by a freshness that builds on acidic notes of pomegranate, raspberry and blood orange. As a skilled painter would do, the dynamism here is a result of the clever use of different shades of red.
Finally, notes of dark pipe tobacco, a touch of depth that goes beyond pleasant drinkability.
Instabile No.9 Mea Culpa 2018 - Vins Nus
(Garnacha)
Have a good weekend - in spite of everything!

Thank you very much & best regards,

Dimitri Taits
livingwines.com
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