Arizcuren Barranco del Prado 2019

The 2019 Barranco del Prado, one of two single-vineyard bottlings, has a gorgeous nose that's an explosion of wild flowers, acid berries and wild herbs. It comes from an ungrafted plot at 800 meters in altitude that was planted 120 years ago mostly with Garnacha and perhaps 2% white Calagraño and 1% Tinta Velasco. The wine feels fresh and very harmonious and has 15% alcohol and integrated acidity that makes it long and focused, with a lifted, high-pitched finish that is most impressive. It matured in well-seasoned, neutral French oak barrels for 18 moths. Truly delicious. Only 966 bottles were filled in March 2021. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

Some white pepper and dried herbs on top of the red plums and cherries. A neat and precise Rioja with a medium-to full-bodied palate, accentuated by silky, calculated tannins and a pristine, juicy profile of red fruit. A firm, refined and understated Rioja with an immaculate structure. Drink or hold.

Still on its own pre-phylloxera roots - it's now 130 years' old - this remarkable 0.34-hectare parcel sits at 765 metres on the flank of the Sierra de la Demanda. Combining Garnacha with Tinto Velasco and Calagraño, it's a brilliant red from Javier Arizcuren with thyme, pine and lavender aromas, effortless old-vine concentration, energetic acidity, subtle oak and tangy plum, redcurrant, fig and black cherry flavours. Very exciting. 2024-33