Dalmau 2016

Exceptionally, I also tasted an unbottled sample of the 2016 Dalmau Reserva, which will be launched in January 2019, as they want to show the public the change in the 2016 vintage. 2016 saw a very good growing season, and the harvest was in late September. It feels like a very young Bordeaux blend, elegant and powerful. And as I saw in the other 2016 I sampled (the Reserva), this has gained in precision (it fermented at 24 degrees Celsius, quite cold for a red), avoiding too much extraction, and that seems noticeable in the texture and the quality of the tannins, sleek, velvety, more elegant, focused and sophisticated. This has all the traces to be the most elegant and finest vintage of Dalmau to date. There will be some 16,000 bottles of this, which should be bottled in June 2019.

Ripe and intense red with tempranillo, graciano and a touch of cabernet sauvignon. Jumps out of the glass with crushed flowers and berries. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows excellent potential. Barrel sample.

The 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon is the constant in Dalmau, the tweaking to the blend achieved by varying the proportions of Tempranillo and Graciano. In 2016 the latter only makes up 3% such is the quality of the Tempranillo. A deep almost opaque colour is matched by powerful aromatics of blueberry, black cherry and a hint of eucalypt. The tannins are authoritative, as one would expect after 23 months in new French oak, underwriting a rich, faintly smoky profile and an intriguingly delicate whisper of mint on the finish.

One of only a handful of wine in Rioja that includes Cabernet Sauvignon - to very good effect, it must be said - this is an elegant, distinguished red blend based on Tempranillo with 3% Graciano completing the cuvée. Aged in new French oak, it's a Bordeaux-influenced style showing refined tannins, notes of cassis, blackberry and cedarwood and a fresh, mineral-rich core. 2023-35