Alfredo Arribas' Vins Nus series is a family of minimal intervention wines from the north of the region. Sourced from high altitude vineyards, they are the more radical alternative to Arribas' Montsant and Priorat wine lines. Characterized by controlled omission, they are produced with virtually no noticeable oak barrel influence, no excessive extraction, no sulfites and no enzymes. With distinctive tannins as a backbone, they are designed for several years of bottle ageing.
The InStabiles are wines from the Vins Nus series are produced without any intervention and renounce origin as well as vintage continuity. They are etudes in the art of "assemblage", the blending of grapes in traditional, artisanal cellar work - Wine Craftwork, as Arribas likes to call it. The numbers of the series denote the ongoing projects from the series.
The Mea Culpa is the ninth project from the InSTabile series and is dedicated to the pure expression of Grenache. Grown at 450-500 meters, Mea Culpa is a cuvée of Garnacha Tinta and Garnacha "peluda", a thick-skinned, acidic mutation of Grenache Noir. Half of the grapes were destemmed and the other half fermented spontaneously in steel with stems. One half matured in ceramic eggs, the other remained in stainless steel before the disparate lots were blended and bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Nose
On the nose, the 2018 Mea Culpa InSTabile No 9 from Alfredo Arribas is reductive at first, with wet stones and blackboard chalk garnishing the timid fruit, which is very buttoned up and only becomes more talkative with sufficient aeration. Beetroot and the leaves of the currant bush set vegetal accents, spicy aromas of black walnuts, liquorice and unroasted coffee.
Mouth
The Antrunk is initially characterized by some carbonic acid, which is not a shortcoming. If you don't like that as a stylistic device, grab the carafe and plunge the unstable fellow headfirst into the hollow body. Juicy fresh with tart tannin, the CO2 soon takes its leave and lets it glide over the palate in vibrant transparency. The interplay of fruit, spice and bitter tannin gives it a peculiar attractiveness and above all a rapid drinking flow.
Food recommendations from Sebastian Bordthäuser
- Falafel in aromatic tomato sauce with cinnamon, corinader, almonds and raisins
- Roulades of swordfish with braised blood oranges in olive oil with oregano and black olives
- Lamb kofte with eggplant cream
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
---|---|
Winemaker | Vins Nus |
Country | Spain |
Region | Priorat & Montsant |
Vintage | |
Variety | |
Content | |
Alcohol content | |
Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
Acid | 6,2 g/l |
Drinking temperature | 17° |
Manufacturer | Vins Nus SL, c/ Claravall 2, 08022 Barcelona / Spain |