It smells of bitumen, redcurrants, garrique and horsehair, the style gently open and Grenachey, yet still carrying that Mataro physicality. Old oak gives a hint of hessian, the earthen, mid-weight palate more about meaty savouriness than glycerol sweetness (which is quite surprising given the alcohol) finishing lightly tannic. It’s maybe a little horsey at the edges, but not enough to derail proceedings.

Would be interesting to put this into a lineup of some ultra-cool nouveau Languedoc Grenache blends, for methinks this would shape up nicely for concentration and style. Needs more tannic depth to be a keeper, but really genuinely attractive red for immediate drinking.

Source: Sample
Tasted: June 2014
Drink: 2014-2019
Score: 17.7/20, 92/100
Would I buy it? Yes.