Olivares Altos de la Hoya 2022

There's a new label and image for the 2022 Altos de la Hoya, which comes from ungrafted Monastrell selected from plots at 830 to 840 meters above sea level on sandy limestone soils. The dry-farmed and head-pruned vines have an average age of 45 years. The Monastrell is complemented by 5% Garnacha and fermented in 10,000-liter stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and matured 50/50 in 500-liter barrels and 6,000- and 10,000-liter oak vats for six to eight months. The wine has notes of ripe black fruit, Mediterranean herbs and a spicy, creamy and smoky touch from the oak. It's juicy, round and fleshy, with 14.5% alcohol and good balance and almost unnoticeable tannins. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2024. (Luis Gutiérrez)