2018 El Sacramento

The fresher and lighter 2018 El Sacramento is slightly lower in alcohol (it's a vintage that shows 14%, rather than the 14.5% on the label). It's a similar blend of Tempranillo with 8% Graciano still a bit marked by the toast from the barrels where it matured for 17 months, 40% of the barrels being new (down from 50%) and the other half second-use. It's a modern and well-oaked Rioja with ingredients to develop nicely in bottle. 10,589 bottles were filled in April 2020.