Gloria de Ostatu 2008

"The modern and concentrated 2008 Gloria de Ostatu is pure Tempranillo selected form their oldest vineyards. It fermented in small vats and went through malolactic and 18 months aging in new French oak barrels. I must say it felt a lot less oaky than previous vintages. It was fresher, perhaps the effect of the 2008 vintage, but all of that was behind a layer of reductive aromas that took time to disappear. Quite classical with notes of forest floor and truffles, hints of leather and sandal wood with some lactic hints. More Atlantic and austere, it has plenty of grainy tannins, moderate acidity and a finish that was quite dry. Not really the hedonistic wine I remember from previous years. Good, but not exceptional, and that reductive note stayed there lurking in the background. 5,382 bottles produced."