Hacienda Monasterio 2018

The 2018 Hacienda Monasterio, the wine that was previously labeled as Crianza, is a blend of 80% Tinto Fino, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec selected from the 100 hectares of their organically certified vineyard in the west part of Ribera del Duero. It had a traditional fermentation, destemmed and in 8,000-liter stainless steel tanks (a change from the 20,000-liter vats used in 2016) with indigenous yeasts, and it matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. This wine represents the character of the property, including all the grapes. It's still a little young, with a creamy twist, a little biscuity with hints of cereals, juicy and with tannins but with balance. This is a vintage that has great balance and freshness, but right now it's a little too oaky for me—but it should develop nicely in bottle. They are now in the process of replacing the Merlot with Malbec, because they think Malbec can work well in the Ribera del Duero. 220,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2020.

Unusual in Ribera del Duero for being a blend of Tinto Fino with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, this comparatively large blend hails from an 80-hectare vineyard that faces south at 750 metres. Picked early in a warm site, it's smooth, rich and scented, with sweet vanilla spice, a leafy undertone, wild herb and mulberry flavours and a chalky frisson of acidity. The 20% new wood is very deftly handled. 2022-28