Villota Rioja Estate Tinto 2021 Wine (75cl)

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Viñas del Lentisco - Villota is owned, operated, and founded by Carmen Pérez-Garrigues and her father Ricardo Pérez- Villota, the fourth and third generations of the Pérez-Villota family, a line of growers that have been rooted to the San Rafael estate in Laserna, Laguardia on a meander of the Ebro River since 1930. In 1973, the Villota family cofounded Viñedos del Contino, Rioja's first single estate winery with CVNE. The partnernship lasted until 2013, when the Villota family broke off, taking the historic family estate with them, and founded their own winery under the Villota brand on this historic plot of land. The flagship of the estate, the 2021 Tinto is based on 85% Tempranillo, 13% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha. It has a gorgeous nose of cassis and darker berries interwoven with subtle spice, graphite, and leather. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, concentrated wine with beautiful tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish. I'd buy it. It should have two decades or more of overall longevity. Intense and nuanced, the 2021 Tinto is 85% Tempranillo, 13% Graciano and 2% Garnacha, sourced from vineyards nestled along the bank of the Ebro River in Laserna, Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Aged for 14 months in oak barrels, this purple wine reveals enticing notes of elderberry, sour cherry and blackberry, complemented by subtle balsamic hints against a well-integrated oak backdrop. On the palate, it is dry and juicy with fine-grained tannins, offering both energy and a weightless structural flow. This wine perfectly embodies the character of the river site, particularly evident in its structure-suitable for both modern and classical palates alike. Spiced dark cherries, dark earth, blue plums and a touch of peppercorns. Very fine-grained on the palate, with a full load of fresh, powdery tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight grip of fruit and tannins. Excellent length. Drink or hold.