Arizcuren Monte Gatún 2020

Architect turned winemaker, Javier Arizcuren, produces this cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo from his spectacular vineyards in rediscovered Quel. Youthful and intense, with thyme and rosemary aromas, inky fig and black olive intensity, plenty of grip and tannin and a long, stony finish. 2024-30

I love the perfumed nose of the 2020 Monte Gatún, their only village red so far, produced with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo from the highest mountain in the Sierra de Yerga, a mountain that names the wine. The vines were planted some 30 years ago on sandy soils, and the different varieties fermented separately and then were blended before malolactic. It's ripe but not overripe, with 14% alcohol. It has floral aromas and a spicy twist, with fine tannins after 10 months in new barriques and concrete. There are 4,600 bottles of this impressive red. It was bottled in August 2021.