Arizcuren Solomazuelo 2017

I found the 2017 Solomazuelo to be quite classy, showing varietal characteristics with integrated and respectful oak. The variety needs heat and seems to behave well in warm vintages like 2017. It's harmonious, and besides the floral and tree bark-like note of the variety, there is also something fresh reminiscent of orange peel. The palate has superb balance, very fine tannins and good freshness. This is a very elegant Mazuelo! It matured in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for one year and a further year in concrete vats. 4,332 bottles were filled in November 2019.

One of three Mazuelos in Javier Arizcuren range, this lightly wooded example of his signature grape comes from two parcels in Quel: La Cantera and El Arenal, covering 2.5 hectares in total. Serious, compact and firm, with black fig and tapenade flavours, lots of supporting acidity and top notes of the mountainside herbs that surround the vines. 2022-29

Architect and bodeguero Javier Arizcuren has captured the spirit of Mazuelo, not especially common as a single variety in Rioja. There are notes of cedar on the nose, backed up by red fruits. In the mouth there’s freshness and fine-grained tannin. Brisk, bright Rioja with light notes of oak. 2017 was a difficult vintage; his 2015 was a star. Track down his young Solomazuelo Anfora: it’s harder to find – only 234 bottles of the 2019 vintage were made – but I love its aromatics and energy.