2018 Rioja Crianza

Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Malvasía Riojana, Viura and Calagraño. The vineyard emphasises clonal diversity and is planted with almost 800 Tempranillo strains, over 100 strains of Viura and Malvasia, and several strains of Garnacha, Graciano and Calagraño. The vines were planted in 1930, 1945 and 1970. This is the winery’s most Atlantic-influenced vineyard. Fermented in a stainless-steel tank, then undergoes malolactic conversion and 13 months’ ageing in a 400-litre, 3-year-old barrel. Lots to unpack here. Blueberry, blackberry, tomato leaf, lavender, clementine peel, nail polish, and a slight cocoa bitterness. It’s elegant and has old-vine depth but is just starting to unfurl. (JRL)