Taboadella Jaen Reserva 2019

The 2019 Jaen Reserva was aged for nine months in an 80/20 blend of French oak (35% new) and stainless steel. It comes in at 13.8% alcohol. Rather powerful, this Jaen has personality, but even more power, and brushed velvet for sensual texture. The mid-palate depth is not quite as good, but it's more than adequate. As with the Alfrocheiro, its sibling this issue, it is very Burgundian in style. The gripping finish suggests this could use a little more cellar time, at least a year, but the tannins are not too hard. It should hold for another decade, more or less, thereafter.

Savory nose of blackberries, cracked pepper, olives, braised mushrooms, smoke and dried spices. Medium-bodied with tight, tea-like tannins. Mineral, savory and slightly bitter, yet fresh. Better after 2022.

The wine is laden with perfumed tannins, rich black fruits and a firm structure that needs some aging. Drink this dense wine from 2023.