Finca El Bosque 2021

Located just 100 metres from the Ebro river, El Bosque is a single 1.48-hectare plot on gravel, clay and limestone. Serious, dense and compact, it has layers of damson, black olive and blueberry, chewy tannins, top notes of toast and vanilla spice and the underlying energy and vibrancy of the vintage. Should age well. 2025-35

The 2021 El Bosque comes from 1.482 hectares planted in 1973 on deep gravel soils that produce powerful wines. It fermented in oak vats after a cold maceration and matured in new barrels, mostly French (5% were built with oak from central Europe), for 18 months. It has the refreshing effect of the cooler year with more freshness and nice balance. It's a powerful and generously oaked modern expression of Rioja, with more aromatics from the élevage than La Nieta from their project in Páganos. 5,000 bottles were filled in July 2023. - Luis Gutiérrez.