The nose is lifted and expressive, unveilingan array of dark berry aromas, ground spice, earth and a whiff of spicy oak. The palate offers a burst of mouth-filling ripe berry flavours with varietal cherry colaand smoked spice before supple tannins and lovely fine grained savoury oak provide definition to the impressively long finish. Whilst offering excellent drinking now, it will most certainly age gracefully.
Awards and Accolades
2012 Vintage: 93 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "A classic Rioja showing fabulous modern fruit intensity, the complex bouquet shows dark berry, game, mixed spice and nutmeg characters, which lead to a ripe and smooth palate that delivers plenty of appealing flavours and excellent mid palate weight. The wine is supple and generous while remaining elegant and stylish. At its best now until 2018."
From the Producer
Totally de-stemmed before a long, cool fermentation with daily pump-overs to achieve optimum fruit and colour. The core of the blend was aged in seasoned French and American oak for six months. 35% was matured for nine months in one year old 225 litre French oak barrels. The components were blended prior to bottling, balancing fruit expressiveness and structure.
Although not as extreme a swing as further south in Spain, Rioja did not escape the winter rain in 2013. A cool and late summer further compounded the challenges to vignerons. The only solution was to wait and helped by more benign Autumn conditions, the grapes finally ripened three weeks later than average.
Rioja Alavesa, in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, is the finest sub-region of Rioja. A patchwork of small vineyards are planted in very poor, sandy soils on the lower slopes. Very low yields, along with cooler night temperatures, create wines with intensity matched by elegance and defined structures.
