Hacienda Monasterio 2013

"The wonderful 2013 Crianza from Hacienda Monasterio is one of the great successes from a challenging vintage that resulted in a heterogeneous collection of wines, where you can find the best and the worst. 2013 was a shorter vintage and they didn't do a Reserva or Reserva Especial that year, so the very best grapes from their estate vineyards went into this Crianza. In fact, they sold 40% of their production in bulk. The final blend was 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and they didn't use any Merlot this year. It's a very precise vintage, with symmetry and a chiseled mouthfeel coupled with very good acidity, a little higher than in 2014 and with half a degree less of alcohol. The Monasterio vineyards are south-facing, the warmer exposure in the northern hemisphere, so they have an advantage in cooler years such as this 2013. Since 2012, the vineyards are organically certified, even if they have always been worked that way; the only difference is that they are now officially certified. The fruit is red rather than black and the tannins are super fine and elegant, providing for that laser-cut precision. This is clearly among the best wines from the vintage. In a way it reminded me of the 1996. The severe selection resulted into 134,560 bottles, way below the average, and it really paid off. Bravo!"