2022 Rioja Bahierra

I find the nose of the 2022 Bahierra to be a little too earthy and ripe, giving it a more rustic profile. This comes from a small vineyard of five terraces that is planted with 60% red grapes, mostly Tempranillo but also Garnacha and others, and the rest white, Viura but quite a lot of Garnacha Blanca, Calagraño and Rojal. It achieved 14.6% alcohol and is the one wine where I see the alcoholic degree reflected in riper aromas of darker berry fruit. It has a full-bodied palate with some more grip in the tannins, which gives a slight bitterness to the finish. 900 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2024 after 11 months in 600-liter barrels and four months in concrete egg.