2012 Monasterio Reserva

The 2012 Reserva comes from kind of an unusual vintage, riper than 2013 for sure, but the wine does not show any excess. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from their El Picón plot in the estate vineyards, where the soils have the most limestone content from within the property. They have 100 hectares of vineyards and they are getting rid of the three hectares of Merlot, as it only ripens properly one year in six, so the percentage of Cabernet is higher this year. This was aged in 50% new French barriques and it usually has a longer élevage than the Crianza. There is a faint lactic note, a creamier sensation and ripe black fruit. This is a powerful vintage, with black rather than red berry aromas and some earthy hints. The palate is full bodied, with very chalky tannins, fine-grained and a slightly bitter finish. 16,525 bottles were filled in September of 2014.