Castell d'Encus Acusp, Costers del Segre, Spain

安卡莊園阿科斯紅葡萄酒

點擊次數：2430

The bright red colored 2019 Acusp transported me to the aromas of some Pinot Noirs from Chile. It was named after the hill where the grapes come from, a vineyard planted in 2003 at high density at 1,000 meters in altitude. Part of the grapes fermented in the 12th-century stone pools (lagares) on the property and the rest in stainless steel, all with indigenous yeasts. It went through malolactic in oak barrel, where it was kept for 12 months. It has 13.21% alcohol, a pH of 3.6 and 5.9 grams of acidity. It's soft and gentle, with red berry fruit and a creamy quality to it. The palate is more austere and strict, with a dry mouthfeel and abundant, fine-grained and chalky tannins. It's medium-bodied, with the great purity that is the house style. 8,500 bottles and 150 magnums produced. It was bottled in November 2020.

The Pinot Noir 2018 Acusp was named after the hill where the grapes come from—a vineyard planted at high density at 1,000 meters in altitude. Part of the grapes were fermented in the 12th-century stone pools (lagares) on the property and the rest in stainless steel, always with indigenous yeasts. The wine went through malolactic in oak barrel, where it was kept for 12 months, and then it spent three months in larger oak foudre. In this cold year, they had to remove leaves because the grapes were not ripening, and the wine is floral and elegant, austere, closed and subtle. The palate is light to medium-bodied, delicate and elegant, with very fine tannins and great purity. This has to be the finest Pinot Noir produced in Spain. But it needs time to show all its true colors. 18,000 bottles and 250 magnums produced. It was bottled in January 2020.

From Pinot Noir grapes planted in 2003 at 1,000 meters in altitude, the 2017 Acusp fermented with indigenous yeasts, part in stainless steel and part in their ancient stone lagares. It matured in used barriques for 11 months, followed by three months in foudres and then was kept in bottle for no less than six months before it was released. It's a ripe varietal Pinot with notes of ripe cherries and some herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and good acidity, clean flavors and a dry and serious finish, with Pinot Noir fine-grained tannins. 10,700 bottles and100 magnums were filled in January 2019.

The varietal Pinot Noir 2016 Acusp is named after the hill where the vineyard was planted at 1,000 meters altitude. Part of the grapes were fermented in the ancient (read: 12th century!) stone pools they discovered on the property and the rest in stainless steel, and then they went through malolactic in oak barrel, where the wine was kept for some 11 months, followed by four months in foudre before being bottled. It's all about red fruit and spice with the lightness of watermelon and the depth of one of the best Pinot Noirs in Spain. The palate is harmonious, balanced, with refined tannins and integrated acidity. It's velvety and very tasty. 13,000 bottles and 170 magnums were filled in January 2018.

The more delicate red wine is probably the Pinot Noir 2014 Acusp, which is named after a higher altitude hill within the estate where the Pinot Noir was planted at some 9,000 vines per hectare in 2003, and located at some 1,000 meters above sea level. Part of the wine fermented in the 12th century stone pools in the property and the rest in stainless steel, followed by malolactic in new French oak barrels where the wine matured for 11 months. 2014 was also a cool vintage, not unlike 2013, but with the need to sort and they had to discard many grapes. The nose is subtly perfumed, with aromas of sour cherries and a pinch of sweet spices, somewhere in between Morey St Denis and Central Otago, but this wine often reminds me of the Charme from Niepoort. The palate shows bittersweet flavors of cherries and a hint of oak, with some creaminess. There is good acidity and freshness, and the finish is nicely and subtly bitter. 11,800 bottles and 200 magnums were filled in December 2015.