Reserva 2018

From the same vineyards as Crianza fruit, a better selection of grapes plus additional fruit downgraded from Imperial vineyards. The wine is aged 18 months in oak (70% US, 30% French), equal thirds new, one and two years old. Mature aromas of tobacco and red fruits mingling in moderate levels of harmonious oak. There’s a pleasant savoury fruit balance, the wood is clean and gently intrinsic, and the wine finishes with fine acidity and delicate residual fruit tannins. These wines can live until 50 years’ age, given good cellaring.

Sweetly earthy and balsamic woodsy aromas wander by one another and mingle with subtle cherry, plum and rose. There are touches of briar, tobacco leaf and a hint of choc. The palate is perfectly resolved and graceful, with fruit, oak and earth all playing together in harmony. A mint-acid snip gives definition. Just mid-weight, gloriously glidey and relaxed.