Call it Crianza, Reserva, whatever - this one is now history, the man doesn't make wine anymore, and even when he made wine, it could only be purchased locally at the bodega, in Labastida. 100% maceración cárbonica, aged for an indeterminate time in old casks (well, somewhere between 2 and 5 years), this one is now really showing well... Varieties? no idea, but there will probably be a tempranillo dominance there, as Rioja is its 'terroir par excellence'.
A very aromatic nose, almost perfumed, with luscious fruit evident even when pouring - this wine is just shouting Rioja. it is old yet young, still full of life - it will keep some more, as it doesn't really give the impression of an old wine.
On the Palate, medium-weight body, and again those aromatics kicking in - just a discrete hint of vanilla with those fruity touches making for an almost perfect balance, and just the right amount of acidity, perfect with the suckling pig... Very discrete tannins, hardly notable - but still there. This is above all an elegant wine, certainly not a powerhouse, pure seduction - the bottle seems ridiculously small. That's the bad news.
The good news? I still have 24+ left...