Score: 89/100
This is a wine made from Tempranillo in the central region of La Mancha in Spain by Grupo Pesquera, famous winery and produce of the iconic Tinto Pesquera from Ribera del Duero.
Tasting notes
This red from central Spain comes in a rather dark red color, nothing outstandingly dark, but fairly dense and looking rich. Dark red to the rim.
The nose is powerful, intense, very spicy, ripe and plumy, and somehow animal. It clearly says Spanish in the style, ‘cojonudo’ locals would say, from the sheer power of the aromatic intensity and the animal edge (not in a negative sense here at all, rather a stylistic feature).
Plum/prune, nutmeg and black pepper for the spices, some cherry liqueur, leather, and an abundance of warm fruit liqueur feel, although it doesn’t feel alcoholic, just rich and luscious!
The palate confirms this impression…
Luscious it is, filled with loads of spices and dried fruit flavors: date and prune, cherry liqueur cake, Christmas spices, almost like a mulled wine but without the heavy feel. Indeed, the acidity is good enough to sustain the richness and lift the fresh fruit characters. It’s like a wine somewhat on steroids, but complex with a great range of flavors, and that feel very much civilized.
Somewhat typical of La Mancha from its richness and concentration, but with some of the refinement of more Northerly regions such as where its makers come from: the Ribera del Duero.
Overall
A rather delightful red with a typical somewhat raw Spanish style filled with ripe and dried fruit notes, loads of spices and animal notes, but sophisticated in its intension and approach of the style.
If you love Central Spanish wines, chances are you will enjoy this one for its relative refinement.
If you’re new to the style, this could be a civilized introduction.
Enjoy 🙂
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