Hacienda Solano Finca Cascorrales 2018

The single-vineyard 2018 Finca Cascorrales was produced with 98% Tempranillo and 2% Albillo Mayor from their oldest vineyard, a plot planted in 1895 that delivers wines with more tannin. It fermented in a 2,500-liter concrete vat (instead of barrel like in the past), and they have been gradually shortening the time in barrel; this time it matured in 500-liter barrels for nine months followed by 10 more months in concrete. 2018 was a cooler year with a longer cycle and a slow and thorough ripening of the grapes, which resulted in a powerful wine with a full body, 14.5% alcohol, abundant and slightly grainy tannins and an earthy sensation. A classical Ribera for the long haul. 1,698 bottles were filled in May 2020. (Luis Gutiérrez)

Finca Cascorrales is generally the firmer and denser of the two single parcel wines from this family-owned bodega in La Aguilera. The vineyard itself is more than 120 years' old and is located on stony, red clay and silex soils. Wild and intense, with garrigue aromas, sappy blackberry and black fig flavours, savoury tannins and a frame of scented oak. 2024-32.