Amburza 2016

Amburza is the name of the vineyard and means "lily field". The chalky mid-mountain site lies at 425 and 550 metres, is farmed organically, is not irrigated and is partly worked with horses to prevent soil compaction.

The 2016 Amburza is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon from a 22 year old vineyard in Amburza with around 9% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano from a 15 year old plant in the Palomar vineyard. Manual harvest into small boxes to avoid pressure damage, followed by re-selection and complete destemming. Spontaneous temperature-controlled fermentation with 20-day cold maceration followed by BSA. Matured in French barrels in first and second occupancy.

Strong ruby red with a dark core.

Distinctive spicy notes outline this Cabernet from high Piment d'Espelette vineyards, red peppers and dried peppers rise to the nostrils even before the dark and profound fruit. Then follows the varietal cassis note, married with black cherry, red currant leaves and dark spices such as black pepper, cloves and black cardamom. Cabernet as Cabernet can!

Cabernet so lush and ripe, so fruity with ripe pyracin and spices, it's a delight. Juicy with almost impenetrable dark fruit, oily-viscous texture and warm appearance on the palate. Blackcurrants are fruited by black cherries, followed by youthfully polished tannin and enormous extract. Joyfully fruity with a tart accent, all the aromatic controls are set to maximum.