Gómez Cruzado Cerro Las Cuevas 2018

The Pancrudo Garnacha was a hard act to follow, but the 2018 Cerro Las Cuevas, their "Selección Terroir" produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano, 5% Garnacha and 3% Mazuelo from two ancient and beautiful vineyards in Ollauri, was able to keep it up. This follows the line of the 2017 and fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in 3,800-liter oak foudre and two barriques. It's elegant and perfumed, mixing notes of flowers, wild berries and herbs with transparent oak. On the palate, the tannins are very fine and provide a chalky texture, the flavors are clean and pure, and there is a nice sense of harmony. This is also superb. 5,339 bottles and 200 magnums produced. It was bottled in February 2020.

Attractive, complex nose of savoury black plums, spicy overtones and hints of toasty oak. Very fresh palate with a robust concentration and lingering black tea finish.

"It's the style I like most," says David González of this refreshing, well-balanced cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo, sourced from two very old vine parcels in Ollauri. I fully agree. This is very much an expression of a cooler vintage, with chalky bite, fine oak and racy berry fruit supported by granular tannins. 2025-35