Sonsierra Vendimia Seleccionada 2014

The dark plum and chocolate nose leads you into a seriously tannic and ripe red Rioja that makes a bold statement. If the tannins at the finish were more polished, this would rate higher.

This is an exemplary co-operative that deserves all the praise it gets, using (almost entirely) fruit from San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Deeply coloured and intense, this sees 100% new American wood, but isn't overly marked by it, thanks to the sweetness and concentration of the bramble and blueberry fruit. 2020-25