Carmen 2014

There was no 2013 of the classical Gran Reserva, so we jumped to the 2014 Carmen Hilera Gran Reserva. As always, it was produced with the grapes from the La Canoca Vineyard, a high-altitude vineyard at some 620 meters in altitude that was planted 50 years ago by his father. This is pure Tempranillo because the Garnacha was too young, and in the late-ripening 2014 vintage, he didn't like the Graciano and Mazuelo. It fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in barrel for 39 months. It has notes of forest floor and truffles, subtle oak and notes of cherries and spices. It's perfumed and floral—violets come out with time in the glass. It's 14.4% alcohol and has a pH of 3.65. It feels quite polished, with fine tannins and very tasty flavors. 2,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez.