Recóndita Armonía 2013 (50 cl.)

What could be considered Felipe Gutiérrez de la Vega's interpretation of a mini-Fondillón, the 2013 Recóndita Armonía cannot carry the Fondillón name. This is so, because it's not an appellation wine, but also mainly because the aging is too short. The regulations require a minimum of ten years, and this pure sweet Monastrell was bottled after some 27 months in used 225-liter French and Hungarian oak barrels. It was harvested late with a potential 20 Beaumé, fermented in oak with indigenous yeasts and fortified to 13.5% alcohol; it retained 158 grams of sugar, considerably less than in previous vintages. The nose is quite varietal Monastrell with freshness, mixing aromas of apricot with something earthy and tree bark-like notes that add some rusticity. This is clearly a lighter year, with less of everything (in general they are reducing their alcohol in their sweet reds); it feels more like a red wine, less sweet with noticeable tannins. I'd have this with hard cheeses. 3,000 bottles produced.