Jose Gil Paraje La Canoca 2023

The source for the 2023 La Canoca changed, and it's different from vineyards this year but still in the lieu-dit or paraje of La Canoca in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. It's now sourced from three terraces with different expositions in the higher part of the paraje at 645 to 700 meters above sea level, all with different textures of silt, sand and clay. It's mostly Tempranillo with some white Viura, fermented with 20% full clusters in concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured in 550-liter barrels for 11 months. It has contained ripeness, 13.9% alcohol and very good freshness and balance. I have to say, the change of the vineyards seems to have done it good, and this feels even fresher and more elegant. It starts a little shy and closed in the glass and takes time to open up. It has good weight and volume, is powerful and has a seamless texture and fine but colder and more austere tannins. It's serious and elegant, a mountain wine, with some austerity that I like. 3,300 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2024. (Luis Guitérrez)