TOMAS POSTIGO 5º Año 2017

Description

Tomás Postigo 5º Año 2021 is one of the most exclusive and distinctive wines from the Ribera del Duero DO, produced only in truly exceptional vintages by Tomás Postigo, one of the denomination’s longest-serving and most respected winemakers, who arrived in Ribera del Duero in 1984 and pioneered the use of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the region’s blends.

Founded in 2008, the winery selects its grapes from 37 plots across 15 municipalities in Ribera del Duero, situated at elevations between 750 and 1,000 metres. The soils are predominantly limestone-rich, sandy-loam with stones and river pebbles, and all the vineyards are herbicide-free, treated exclusively with organic methods. This commitment to sustainability made Tomás Postigo the first winery in Ribera del Duero to obtain Carbon Footprint certification.

Made from a blend of Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, the grapes are transported whole and destemmed to the winery, with all movement carried out by gravity, without pumps, to preserve the integrity of each berry as much as possible. The wine is aged for 12 months in 225-litre French oak barrels from different forests, producing up to 46 different wines depending on the origin of the grapes and the type of barrel. The final blend combines the best of these 46 wines to create the 5º Año.

The 2021 vintage saw moderate spring rainfall and a summer with moderate temperatures in July and very warm conditions in August, culminating in an exceptional September—the warmest since 1965, with spectacular day-night temperature fluctuations that concentrated the aromas and preserved the acidity. The result is a wine with a pronounced Atlantic character—more mineral and fresh than usual—and plenty of life ahead of it.

It has a deep cherry colour with intense garnet edges, very opaque and brilliant. On the nose, it is deep and complex, with great ripeness and red fruit aromas of blackberry, plum and sour cherry, accompanied by balsamic and red liquorice notes, earthy and graphite mineral nuances, and well-integrated oak with subtle touches of fine pastry. On the palate, it is full-bodied, flavourful and balanced, with ripe, velvety tannins, juicy acidity, aromatic cedar notes, and a long finish with a slight bitterness that makes it persistent and complex. A wine with plenty of life ahead of it. Decant for at least one hour before serving.

Serving temperature: 16–18°C. Ideal with venison, grilled red meats, roast lamb, hearty stews and distinctive aged cheeses.