La Loma 2021

"The spirit of my father" how Miguel Merino describes this wine, made in the year in which the founder of this small Briones bodega passed away. I’m sure Miguel Senior would have been proud of this wine and the deservedly high score it has achieved. Showcasing a remarkable vineyard planted in 1946, this is a graceful pairing of Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha, showing subtle reduction, understated grip and tannins, blood orange and bramble flavours, a breath of oak spices and incredible elegance and precision. Perfection. 2025-32

The flagship red 2021 La Loma is floral, clean and elegant. It comes from a single vineyard that has always been special for them. It's 90% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha from vines planted in 1946 that they've been producing separately since 2015, but they were not able to purchase it until 2021 (congrats!). The nose is nice and elegant, and the palate is serious, austere and mineral, with a strong chalky and stony feel. 2,282 bottles were filled in April 2023 after 14 months in used 500-liter French and Austrian barrels.