2020 Challao, Rioja "Angelita de Challao"

Tempranillo (85%) spiller hovedrollen i denne fremragende Rioja, men støttes på traditionel vis af en række andre sorter som Garnacha, Garnacha Blanca, Graciano, Malvasía og Viura. Spontangæret med 40% stilke, fodtrådt og lagret i en blanding af 225, 500 og 2000 liters træfade i 20 måneder inden tapningen, viser den en smuk, strålende lys og gennemsigtig farve. Derefter følger en vidunderlig, frisk og ganske uimoståelig næse med syrlige tranebær, ribs, mint, appelsinskal, blomster og blåbær. Smagen er sprød og levende med syrens definition tydelig fra starten, men den omfavnes af den mest vidunderlige, akkurat perfekt modne, røde bærfrugt i et vidunderligt balanceret og præcis udtryk uden hjørner og uden videre tannin. Sublimt balanceret, slutter den i en aromatisk og flot defineret finale. Dette er en fremragende debutårgang - for fans af lyse og elegante vine. (-2030+) ****

93 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate: "The 2020 Angelita del Challao comes from a blend of different vineyards in the three valleys from Labastida, looking for a village wine; it was produced with 85% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Blanca and other rare varieties from their own vineyards and purchased grapes. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts, 40% full clusters that are foot trodden and the rest uncrushed grapes and matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels and 2,000-liter foudres—10 months with each plot separate—and then it was blended and let to settle in concrete for another 10 months. They look for a more approachable wine than Challao, with more floral aromas in a very elegant and harmonious way. The palate is medium-bodied with medium ripeness, 13.5% alcohol and very good freshness and acidity, balanced and harmonious, very tasty and with elegant, refined tannins. Really very good. "