2016 El Ciruelo
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Tasting notes
Listán Negro on sandy soil, facing north and east at 480–520 m; 100% whole bunch. Lightish ruby. The characteristic smokiness of these wines and this region is more muted here, the fruit a little more spicy. Dusty too. Super-fine tannins, paper-like and layered, very different from the El Chibirique. Lithe and scented and long. GV (JH)
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
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Not much changed in the production of the 2016 El Ciruelo—natural fermentation with full clusters in concrete and aging in neutral 500-liter oak casks—but the grapes from this centenary vineyard were harvested early, and the resulting alcohol level was slightly lower. They did a softer vinification, with pigéage, and a longer maceration, and it seems to provide what feels like a more delicate, elegant wine, but at the same time, it feels a lot more powerful and nuanced, with great length. Elegant and powerful with an edge. If you like the Plousard from Jura, you're going to love this. 4,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2017.