María 2015

Sourced from two plots that have different characteristics that complement each other, the 2015 María combines power and ripeness with elegance. It fermented in a 6,000-liter oak vat with a soft vinification followed by 14 months in French oak barrels, 20% of them new. The character of the vintage, warmer and riper, is quite obvious in this wine that has riper and darker fruit, which is especially evident when tasted next to the 2016s, but it manages to keep its poise and balance. At the same time, there is more depth here than in the regular Alonso del Yerro. There is freshness in the palate and there is harmony; it's also less ripe than older vintages, and there is a strong sensation of chalk in the tannins. There is also more impact from the élevage in oak, but it feels quite integrated. It's still very young, but it should get better with some more time in bottle. The wine evolves nicely in the glass, so if you're going to pull the cork anytime soon, perhaps decanting it in advance would be a good idea. 4,700 bottles and 140 magnums were filled in July 2017.