Description
A wine with a mainly “Mediterranean” profile, but with “Atlantic” hints which endow it with a unique, complex character, appearance it has shades of dark, very bright, cherry with slight purplish glints as the eye moves towards the rim of the glass. This is enough information for us to prepare ourselves to taste a wine with a certain amount of structure, excellent acidity and, as it is still a young 2010 wine, a promising future given that there is not the slightest trace of evolution.
Before swirling the glass we can detect clearly-defined, very dominant red and black fruit (blackberry, redcurrant, wild plum). Then move the glass and fine leather aromas mingling with the fruit begin to appear. In the background, and only as a complement, select oaky spiciness comes through, still distinguishable but closely integrated into the wine. In order of predominance you can find black pepper, caramel, toast, vanilla, cloves. The most outstanding aspect of this vintage is the initial attack: juicy, meaty, dominant, full, mineral, structured, elegant… you run out of describing words. But in spite of the fact that this is all still in an incipient phase of integration,. You can find light tannic appendices which will be rounded off in a short period of time.The experienced taster sees a great wine for laying down which will be able to be enjoyed during the whole journey towards maturity.
92 Points - Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar:(70% tempranillo, 20% garnacha, 7% mazuelo and 3% graciano; fermented in large oak vats and aged for 24 months in oak casks of varying size): Opaque ruby. Musky, deeply pitched aromas of ripe red fruit, game, lavender and roasted coffee. Shows very good spicy lift in the mouth, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and an undercurrent of smoky minerals. Finishes with excellent focus and thrust; the slowly building tannin s meld smoothly with the wine s dense fruit. Age this wine for at least another five years, with confidence.
Josh Raynolds (Sep/Oct 14) 90 Points -Wine Spectator Magazine: Juicy and expressive, this lively red shows coffee and licorice notes that frame black cherry and currant flavors. The tannin s are a bit chewy but resolve gracefully on the fruity finish. Drink now through 2020. 5,000 cases made.–AN (Sep 30, 2014)
Reserve is £50