Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012:
‘Bright purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of ripe, oak-spiced black and blue fruits, vanilla, incense and pungent flowers, along with smoky mineral and pipe tobacco notes. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering pliant blueberry, cherry-vanilla and mocha flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Rich yet energetic in character, displaying impressive finishing definition and smooth tannins that add closing grip to the wine's densely packed, sweet fruit.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100 (Feb 2019)

‘2012 was a dry and healthy vintage that produced ripe grapes. I'm glad I tasted it, and I think I saw it in a very good moment of its evolution, where the oak seems better integrated, still keeping its primary flavors, with very good balance and polished tannins but already developing some complexity and nuances.’ - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 93+/100 (Mar 2018)

‘Inky dark crimson with a blackish cast at the rim, rather like crushed mulberry. More spicy than the Clásico. And, if possible, even more fragrant – impressive to find an expressive wine when it is otherwise still so youthful. Tannins are much thicker here, in a way that I associate with oak influence. Very dry compact texture and far less open on the palate than on the nose.’ - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Feb 2016)

‘This young, massive Rioja smells of raspberry, plum, char and tar. The mouthfeel is chunky, rich and deep, with manageable tannins. Blackberry, mocha, char, clove and chocolate flavors announce generous oak, while the finish is spicy, peppery, toasty and ripe. Drink 2018–2034.' — Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (Sep 2016)

2013:
‘Charred smoky aromas mask robust berry scents. Deep plum and berry fruit creates a flush texture. Full oaky flavors of blackberry and black plum are spicy, dry and chocolaty on the finish. Given how hard it was to make good wine in Rioja in 2013, this is excellent. Drink through 2032’ - Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Jul 2018)

‘The two wines from 2013 share a common characteristic, which is better integrated oak and a subtler mouthfeel. Other than that, the ripeness of the grapes also seemed more moderate, which has resulted in fresher, more elegant wines. Here there is a mixture of red and black fruit, and some notes of dark spices. The palate shows very polished tannins and good balance, more serious than the Clásico.’ - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Aug 2016)

‘Youthful violet. Spice-accented dark berry, cherry and floral scents are energized by cracked pepper and mineral nuances. Sweet and focused on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry and cherry flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Shows darker fruit character on the persistent, youthfully tannic finish, which leaves behind cherry pit and licorice notes.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 91/100 (Dec 2016)

2014:
‘This is still young, but already displaying gorgeous balance and clearly feels like you have all the necessary parts and can relax while waiting for it to come around. Not the easiest vintage either, mainly because of nerves after the rot issues of 2013, but they have achieved full ripeness and the oak is burnished and smoked, providing just one more layer in what is already a layered and complex wine, and giving it the confidence and sexiness of a young Rioja.’ – Jane Anson, Decanter.com, 95/100 (Jan 2020)

‘It's evolving at a very slow pace; it's a tight red with plenty of tannins, and the time in bottle seems to be doing it good. There is concentration and power, as well as typicity from the variety and the zone, with that austerity from this part of Rioja. It's a serious, modern and nicely crafted Tempranillo with a touch of sweet spices and smoke. It should continue evolving nicely in bottle.’ - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Jun 2019)

‘Opaque ruby. A heady, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, incense, candied licorice and mocha, and a smoky nuance builds in the glass. Sappy, densely packed boysenberry, cherry liqueur, cola and vanilla flavors show impressive energy and focus and a late jolt of florality. Distinctly rich yet vibrant and graceful in style. Finishes with impressive energy and velvety tannins that lend shape and gentle grip.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 94/100 (Feb 2019)

‘Much better fruit definition than their Clásico but plenty of spicy oak too. Long, smooth, combines savoury spice with ripe fruit very nicely.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Dec 2018)