Dominio de Es Carravilla 2021

The 2021 Carravilla comes from a south-facing plot on pure limestone soils in the village of Atauta. Composed of 96% Tempranillo with 4% Albillo from 0.27 hectares at 935 meters in altitude, it fermented destemmed in oak vat with indigenous yeasts and matured in two used Burgundian barrels for a short-ish time, some nine months. It has 14.11% alcohol and a pH of 3.8. The much shorter élevage has resulted in a more relaxed wine that has energy, light and finer tannins and is fine-boned, balanced, fresh and elegant but not lacking clout or power. There is finesse combined with energy here. He felt the wines were good from very early on (April!), so he went for a much shorter élevage. More maceration requires less élevage? Only 537 bottles were filled in August 2022.

Nuanced nose with some cumin, black chocolate, cedar, licorice-like spices to the blue and black fruits. Minerals, violets and a hint of coca-cola, too. Spicier and almost as structured as La Mata, but the difference is that the bones come after the more fluid center-palate. The tannins are dusty and so focused and driven. Long and close-knit finish. This needs more time. Better from 2026. - Zekun Shuai. Senior Editor.