Raposo 2017

Camino de Santa Cruz hails from a single parcel of Tempranillo at 700 metres in once marginal Rivas de Tereso. Fermented in amphorae before ageing in older barrels, this is a focused, grippy, savoury, high-altitude style with wild herb aromas and crunchy red berry fruit. 2021-27

The village red 2017 Raposo comes from two plots of old vines planted mostly with Tempranillo and a little Graciano in Villabuena de Álava, a warmer place that tends to deliver more Mediterranean wines than the cooler Rivas de Tereso. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 2,700-liter oak vats for one year. The nose is clean with notes of berries, wild herbs and flowers, quite attractive. It's tasty and ripe, with a fruit-driven nose and a mellow mouthfeel, denoting a warmer place and vintage. 6,500 bottles were filled in November 2018.

This is a little lifted on the nose and palate with ripe and slightly dried fruit. Juicy palate. Full and flavorful. Drink now.