Benjamin Romeo Colección Nº1 La Viña de Andrés Romeo 2015

Now part of the collection, the 2015 Colección Nº 1 La Viña de Andrés Romeo was produced with the grapes from a vineyard called La Liende that was planted 40 years ago by Romeo's father. It fermented with indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic in barrique and 18 months élevage in new French oak. It feels a bit earthy and has notes of ink and licorice, quite ripe and powerful. The palate is full-bodied, and it has plenty of dry extract and tannin. This is a small beast in a bottle. 3,000 bottles were filled in May 2017.

Spicy and slightly meaty aromas with ripe, mixed-berry aromas, as well as licorice and gently leafy nuances. There’s a core of deeply ripe, sweet black cherries on the palate, the oak framing it all up nicely. Great depth and detail. Tangy, plum-pit finish. Drink now or hold.

Number One is Benjamín Romeo's collection is made with bush vine Tempranillo from the La Liende vineyard. Formerly labelled La Viña de Andrés, the wine comes from gravel soils close to the Ebro River. Sumptuously oaked, it's rich, intense and powerful, with chocolate, lavender and blackberry fruit, lots of perfume and a spicy, balanced finish.