CF de Altolandon 2011

"I'd have trouble identifying the grape of this wine in a blind tasting as it comes through as very balsamic with a strong note of camphor. The 2011 CF de Altolandón is Cabernet Franc from their own vineyards at high altitude fermented in vat with indigenous yeasts after a cold soak and aged in used French oak barrels with weekly bâttonage; a process that seems to be systematic for all their wines. The palate is medium to full-bodied with abundant, fine-grained tannins and that tasty, broth-like sensation I also found in the Malbec. It's hard to pin down place or grape, but it's a very good, powerful and nicely crafted red that develops more balsamic and wax/honeycomb aromas with time in the glass. 10,000 bottles."

"A very competent wine showing a strong varietal expression on both nose and palate - perfumed aromas of floral-infused black cherry and cinnamon-spice, with a pronounced intensity of leafy, herbaceous fruit on the palate."