2010 Malleolus de Sancho Martin

The 2010 Malleolus de Sanchomartin is from a single plot of over 50-year-old vines in Pesquera de Duero on chalk soils that provide for vertical, long and mineral wines. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, as they believe they are better suited for the elegance of the juice produced from the chalky soils. The wine is powerful and concentrated, but overall, extremely elegant and balanced and with clear chalky minerality that sticks to your teeth. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a fine, silky texture, very good acidity and freshness. This could be drunk now, but I believe it will be even better in a couple of years. Drink 2016-2025. Emilio Moro is a leading producer of modern, ripe, exuberant, showy and well-oaked Tempranillos from Ribera del Duero, which has had a big following among fans of that style. Having said that, I found the wines better balanced, with more judicious use of the oak compared with the ones produced five years ago. They work 200 hectares of vineyards that are vinified in their winery in Pesquera de Duero. All their vineyards are planted with the old Tempranillo vines planted with branches of the old vines they had in the Valderramiro and Resalso vineyards. They replace some 15 hectares every year to keep the old average age. The wines are more integrated and balanced and show less oak than in the past, while they are warmer and richer in style than the Cepa 21 wines they also produce. They are very happy with the 2011 harvest, Javier and Jose Moro told me they consider it even better for them than 2010. On the contrary, there will be no 2012 versions of Malleolus, or the single-vineyard bottling, as the year was too warm for their liking. Importer: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

The 2010 Malleolus de Sanchomartin is from a single plot of over 50-year-old vines in Pesquera de Duero on chalk soils that provide for vertical, long and mineral wines. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, as they believe they are better suited for the elegance of the juice produced from the chalky soils. The wine is powerful and concentrated, but overall, extremely elegant and balanced and with clear chalky minerality that sticks to your teeth. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a fine, silky texture, very good acidity and freshness. This could be drunk now, but I believe it will be even better in a couple of years. Drink 2016-2025. Aug 2014, www.robertparker.com