Paydos 2016 (x3)

The only wine produced with grapes that are not from their vineyards in the village of Roa in Ribera del Duero is, in fact, from the neighboring Toro, where they bought some old vines in the village of Morales de Toro. I tasted the 2016 Paydos, which they say is a vintage of change toward more freshness. It fermented in 5,000-liter vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 13 months. The place is warmer and riper than Ribera del Duero, and the wines are always a little higher in alcohol and riper, but it still feels balanced in its XL style. It's quite aromatic and expressive, a little more Mediterranean, with notes of fennel and herbs, really different from the wines from the earlier vintages (2008 was the first wine produced), and, in fact, they told me the change in the style of their wines originated in Toro. Finesse (with character) is possible there. 5,000 bottles were filled in February 2018.