The Ebano Estate
Over the past few years Adegas Valminor (D.O. Rías Baixas) has been putting together a D.O. Ribera del Duero, initiative which began with the acquisition of prime vineyards in the area around Quintana del Pidio and Gumiel del Mercado. After extensive work on the vineyards and the construction of the necessary facilities, the first Ebano (crianza 2001) was produced. In Spanish, the word ébano means ebony, the hard black wood used in making musical instruments such as clarinets. The name evokes the deep dark color of the wine.
The Ebano Vineyards
The holdings amount to a total of 43 hectares (106 acres), separated in 7 different parcels. The vines are 100% Tempranillo. The older plantings (23 years) are pruned in the traditional goblet or head-trained fashion. Later plantings are trained on wires and are some 15 years old. The soils in the area are generally a mix of sand/gravel and clay/limestone.
No products found
It is hard to imagine with the Lithology range receiving 298 points out of 300 for the three single-vineyard wines, that there could possibly be a wine above them. But there is, and it is our Estate wine. Blended several times very intently by masters of their craft Philippe Melka and Michel Rolland, this is the ultimate expression of our house’s work. Positive, full-bodied, and quite powerful, there’s the expected crème de cassis and blackberry from St. Helena Cabernets, with mineral, herb, subtle tobacco and vanilla, plum skins, and pie crust, purple flowers, forest-conifer notes, and very fine tannic structure. It is a magnificent, and magnificently elegant expression of this house, and when asked recently, Monsieur Rolland stated plainly to me, “oh yes indeed – this is the best one, the best yet…”
Review:
The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Alejandro Bulgheroni comes from a selection made by winemakers Philippe Melka and Michel Rolland, mostly from Rutherford and Oakville fruit. Aged 20 months in 78% new French oak, it has incredible aromatics of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, and graphite to go with a massive, full-bodied, concentrated style on the palate that somehow stays graceful, weightless, and elegant. This tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is guaranteed to put a smile on your face over the coming 20-25+ years.
-Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points
Michel Thomas Sancerre Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc (40% Caillottes, 40% Grosses Terres, 20% Silex)
The wine displays an exotic nose with a touch of smoke and licorice. On the palate, peach and watermelon dominate with citrus zest and chalk notes.