Pedro Balda
El Cantarral Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja, Spain
2020 vintage, only 375 bottles (!)
Darker & more brooding & more closed than 2019, a bit more brambly.
Needs quite a bit to open up.
Very northern Syrah in style, St Joseph or Hermitage. The purity is still absolutely stunning - both on the nose & palate. Black fruit & black cherries with a mineral backbone underneath. Great depth and such character. Wow! This is absolutely brilliant!
My fav non-traditionalist Rioja.
2020 vintage, only 375 bottles (!)
Darker & more brooding & more closed than 2019, a bit more brambly.
Needs quite a bit to open up.
Very northern Syrah in style, St Joseph or Hermitage. The purity is still absolutely stunning - both on the nose & palate. Black fruit & black cherries with a mineral backbone underneath. Great depth and such character. Wow! This is absolutely brilliant!
My fav non-traditionalist Rioja.
Finally a Rioja that is thrilling and exceptional (except the hard core traditionalists).
Amazing purity in the nose - reminiscent more of a northern Rhône than Rioja - think St Joseph or Cornas, with more cherry than blackberry & less roast & olives. No over oak, no vanilla - just great purity of fruit backed by austere chalk & limestone. Precise & brilliant.
On the palate this is beautiful - deep, pure, brilliant quality of tannins, so smooth & silky. Just a touch of sweetness coming towards the finish, complementing the mineral austerity. This is drinking beautifully! Such purity with the 15% unnoticeable. Shame only 948 bottles were made.
Need to hunt for more.
Brilliant stuff! Quite sophisticated & delicious at the same time. Gorgeous!
Finally a Rioja that is thrilling and exceptional (except the hard core traditionalists).
Amazing purity in the nose - reminiscent more of a northern Rhône than Rioja - think St Joseph or Cornas, with more cherry than blackberry & less roast & olives. No over oak, no vanilla - just great purity of fruit backed by austere chalk & limestone. Precise & brilliant.
On the palate this is beautiful - deep, pure, brilliant quality of tannins, so smooth & silky. Just a touch of sweetness coming towards the finish, complementing the mineral austerity. This is drinking beautifully! Such purity with the 15% unnoticeable. Shame only 948 bottles were made.
Need to hunt for more.
Brilliant stuff! Quite sophisticated & delicious at the same time. Gorgeous!