Artadi El Carretil 2019

The bottled 2018 El Carretil was phenomenal. It comes from a plot of 3.64 hectares planted at three different times—1930, 1975 and 1988—on limestone, sandstone and silt soils with up to 18% active limestone. Its Tempranillo grapes aged in barrel and then were racked back to stainless steel, where it was left to mature until it was bottled. It's mineral and balsamic, expressive, open and fresh, with beautiful elegance. It's classical with even a Bordeaux twist. It shows pretty much like the sample I tasted 12 months ago, expressive and open, aromatic and perfumed, with great freshness and balance, vibrant and energetic, juicy with fine-grained tannins and with terrific balance and purity. Rating: 97+

Such glorious aromas of blackberries, licorice and crushed stones. Full-bodied with balance and refinement to the mouth feel. Chocolate and berry aftertaste. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Rich and bold, this big red delivers currant, blackberry, licorice, espresso and loamy earth flavors in a dense texture, with well-integrated tannins and balsamic acidity. Deep and seamless, in the modern style. Drink now through 2032.