The 2011 Amancio is a cuvée of four plots in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a total of 16 hectares planted at different times. The bunches are sorted and around 10% were discarded in 2011 (a very ripe, warm vintage) and destemmed by hand. It fermented in small oak vats and the wine matured in barrel for some 24 months, where it went through malo. The wine is quite marked by the toast of the barrels, which Marcos Eguren told me is because of the seeds and the zone that give it more of a smoky character. Still, the oak is well combined with the ripe black fruit and sour cherries. These vines are low-yielding and harvested one week before the rest of the plots to avoid overripeness and keep the freshness. There are flavors of blackberries and hints of flowers with plenty of vanilla and cinnamon, Mediterranean herbs and the characteristic from this riper vintage. A powerful red for the long haul. 4,800 bottles.

A plush texture carries bold flavors of plum, currant, licorice and cola in this expressive red. Well-integrated tannins and juicy acidity keep this focused. Grounded by a minerally backbone, this shows modern structure, but with depth and freshness. Drink now through 2026. 67 cases made, 67 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add