2015 La Estrada Rioja Bodega Lanzaga Telmo Rodriguez

Aromas of extremely pure, rich and ripe cassis and blue plums. Fresh earth notes, too. Super fleshy, lithe and juicy with an underlying graphite-like stony core and superfine tannins. Really immaculate, long and layered with red and black cherries coming through. From a 1.6-acre vineyard. Drink or hold.

The 2015 La Estrada is from a vineyard that used to be the backbone in the blend of the Altos de Lanzaga (not produced anymore), where the high altitude provides freshness in warm years like 2015. It has some lactic and smoky notes and is a little creamy, even if there's also a strong imprint from the chalky soils. 2019 - 2028.

La Estrada is a single vineyard field blend of Tempranillo with 5% "other grapes", according to Pablo Eguzkiza located in Lanciego at 610 metres. It's a cooler, east- facing site that's produced a serious, grippy, hunkered down red with very little oak and a spicy, peppery, refreshing finish. Needs time. 2022-35.

Saturated ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes mineral- and spice-accented dark berries, cherry cola, vanilla and incense. Sappy, plush and seamless in the mouth, offering intense blackberry, cherry preserve, dark chocolate and spicecake flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. The impressively long, energetic and youthfully tannic finish displays pliant tannins, sharp clarity and a touch of candied flowers.