This was the second time tasting this wine this month. Lucky me! It is classic old style Rioja impeccably produced. Truly a great value in traditional Rioja. The wine is fermented in 144 year old oak vats before being stored for five years in used American oak barrels and five more in bottles. It is a blend of Tempranillo (80%), Garnacho (15%), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano (5%) from estate vineyards. Ruby in color with some purple swirls and maybe just a hint of orange. The nose is great with cherries, spice, cedar, dust and slight herbal note. Full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, cherries with slight black cherries and spice. Complex and deep. Tight layers that unwind in the glass. This is drinking well now but should have no trouble going another ten to fifteen more. Nice on its own, this works better with hearty foods. This would be perfect with pulled pork but also roasted root vegetables.
