The single-vineyard 2019 Mingortiz was produced with Tempranillo that was planted in 1964 with a south-facing exposition at 515 meters in altitude. The uncrushed grapes fermented in oak vats with wild yeasts and 20 days of maceration. It matured in new French oak barrels for 16 months, during which time it was racked every six months. It's perfumed, a bit heady—with 14.5% alcohol on the label—and aromatic with notes of peach and raspberry, spicy and toasty. It's balanced and soft and has integrated acidity. This is an approachable and tender vintage with round tannins. It was bottled in April 2021.

Tasting the top reds, it's noticeable how much better integrated the oak is in the 2017s compared with the 2015s. The 2017 Mingortiz shows that, coming through as fruit-driven and reflecting the ripe fruit from a low-yielding and early harvest with notes of black berry fruit and a heady profile, despite having less alcohol than the wines from a couple of years ago. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins and a dry and somewhat austere finish. 5,000 bottles were filled unfiltered and unfined in December 2019. This vineyard used to contribute to the blend of the red Allende.

There is a faint animal note on the nose of the 2016 Mingortiz that seems to dominate the profile, which includes hints of leather, licorice and fountain pen ink. The fruit is black rather than red. It was generously oaked, and the oak is especially noticeable on the palate, which is normal, because the wine is very young. This is a lot less ripe than the previous year, and even if the alcohol is not much lower, it feels better balanced. 12,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018.

This rich red is ripe and concentrated, with plum and blackberry flavors backed by chocolate, toast and mineral notes. Firm, well-integrated tannins and juicy acidity give this structure and balance. Bold, in the modern style. Tempranillo. Drink now through 2027. 1,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add

The 2015 Mingortiz is pure Tempranillo from an organically farmed vineyard in Briones that gives the wine its name. It was planted in 1964, a south-facing plot with limestone-rich soils at 515 meters altitude that give the wine length and elegance. The uncrushed grapes fermented in an oak vat after a six-day cold soak. Malolactic was in barrel, same as the élevage, which was in brand new French barriques and lasted 16 months. It's not a shy wine and hits the scales at 15% alcohol. It's ripe but harmonious, modern, clean and expressive, with the chalky tannins that give that serious mouthfeel. It should be long lived. 9,000 bottles were filled unfiltered and unfined in April 2017. Both this and Gamindez used to contribute to the blend of the red Allende.