Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2011

Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo. Drink on release or hold.

The 2011 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was produced with a blend of 84% Tempranillo and 16% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from a plot called La Plana that was planted in 1950 at 485 meters in altitude, the highest in the Ygay property. The grapes were picked between September 17 and 22, and the Mazuelo was later, on September 28. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 11 days with constant pump-overs and punch-downs. The Tempranillo matured for 28 months in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo for 28 months in French barriques. It's 14% alcohol and has a pH of 3.65 with 5.6 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It's very tough to follow a vintage like 2010, and 2011 was not an easy year; the wine is possibly more powerful and concentrated but keeping the freshness, with a longer élevage but very young and lively, with an elegant texture and mouthfeel, great balance and elegance. The wine feels lively, and it seems impossible that it has been in bottle for over six years. It has the classical profile with the effect of the American oak barrels, cigar box, cedar wood, sweet spices—aromatic, intoxicating, complex. This should age very slowly and for a very long time. 131,668 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2016. No 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced. They have a 2012, and they will jump from that to 2016. The 2012 will be released in late 2023 or early 2024 and the 2016 in 2027 or 2028. Finger crossed...

The essence of classicism, built upon utmost care in the vineyard and the strictest selection. Made from selected plots within a single vineyard, aged in concrete for one year before starting oak ageing during 28 months, followed by bottle ageing for at least six more years. It looks deceptively mature, having a very long life ahead, but being delicious to drink now. Intense classic aromas of dried fruit and undergrowth, enhanced by notes of clove and tea leaves, and with a difficult to express memory of black fruit. Round and rich in the mouth, silky and intense, slow and generous. A top wine, not far from its now iconic 2010 sibling. If one could live to see this wine at its peak....

Up a point with an extra year in bottle, the 2011 Ygay seems to have settled into its skin over the last 12 months. Made from a duo of Tempranillo and 16% Mazuelo, respectively aged in American and French oak, this has balsamic, Mediterranean herb top notes of pine and rosemary, subtle oak spices, plenty of density and focus and the acidity, tannic structure and dark berry fruit power to age. 2027-45

Complex bouquet with notes of warm raspberry, plum, blueberry and dark cherry. Hints of dark chocolate, tobacco and caramel as well as balsamic and floral nuances. Also a hint of coconut matting. Fresh, elegant and balanced on the palate, with ripe acidity and velvety, fine-grained tannins. Long finish.

Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry, white chocolate and juniper berry. Still youthful on the palate, it offers ever-present tannins supporting flavors of dark plum, black cherry, caramel and violet that slowly fade into a soft cherry-pie finish. Drink through 2042.