2015 El Sacramento

The 2015 El Sacramento is a blend of Tempranillo with 7% Graciano from the El Sacramento vineyard in Laguardia, planted mostly in 1986 on limestone-rich soils. 2015 was a warm, ripe vintage with an early harvest, with ripe grapes of very good quality and balance. The grapes were destemmed and fermented in stainless steel, which has been a constant since 2011, and the wine matured in new and second use French barriques for 17 months. 2015 produced very powerful wines with more concentration and higher ripeness. Right now, there is a creamy, lactic sensation, denoting youth and the need for some time in bottle to integrate the effect of the élevage. The palate is full-bodied with glossy tannins and good concentration nicely balanced by good freshness. This is a powerful, concentrated, modern Rioja that will benefit from some more time in bottle. This is a very different vintage from 2013, which saw a very early harvest (only surpassed by 2017, which is the earliest ever). 23,000 bottles were filled in March 2017.