2012 Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tortolas RP--94

Robert Parker: 94 Points
The 2012 Arroyo del Tórtolas is one of their single-vineyard reds, in this case it’s a north facing-slope of 1.25 hectares, planted with 2,200 plants per hectare that are 65 years old. The soil is quite thin and poor, rich in granite. Fermentation is carried out in oak tinas (vats), with stems, but on a higher or lower proportion depending on the vintage, and foot trodden. Malolactic fermentation is in used barriques of different sizes (from 225 to 600 liters) made of French oak where the wine ages for one year. This is the plot of vines that gets more complete ripeness, the nose is very sharp and focused, with notes of good ripeness, some pine cone traces, red berries, flowers and dry herbs. The palate is really supple, straight, vertical, with very good acidity (this is harvested earlier than other plots, as the grapes ripen earlier which somehow provides for better acidity) with fine, velvety and elegant tannins. This is a great expression of Garnacha and, even though it's not cheap, it still represents good value. Bravo!