I also tasted the powerful and concentrated 2015 La Nieta, which was very open, aromatic and expressive, even a little evolved for its young age. It's ripe, heady and generously oaked after 16 months in new French oak barrels, yet the fruit is in the foreground and the oak neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is juicy, fresh and velvety with an amazing backbone and acidity that holds it up and will help it to age gracefully in bottle. Most years, this is the most elegant wine from the wide portfolio produced by the Eguren family in their wineries in Rioja, Páganos, Sierra Cantabria and San Vicente. There is great finesse, balance and subtlety here, and there are even some floral notes coming out of the glass when the wine is left for a while. 5,000 bottles produced.

Cocoa, clove and mineral notes frame black plum and currant fruit in this expressive red. The full tannins are well-integrated, with gentle balsamic acidity, and give way to mineral, black olive and floral details on the long finish. Generous and harmonious. Drink now through 2030. 350 cases made, 50 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add