Dominio de Es La Mata 2017

I found the 2017 La Mata, one of the two single-vineyard bottlings, quite marked by the toast of the barrels, and at the same time, it came through as quite ripe and a little heady, voluptuous and somehow baroque. It matured in brand-new 228-liter French oak barrels for 20 months, and right now comes through as very tannic and oaky and without the balance of the previous vintage. I have doubts about it, and if it's able to digest all that wood, my score might be conservative... 528 bottles, 25 magnums and 8 Jeroboams were filled in June 2019.

This is a very modern wine with assertive, toasty and meaty nuances and pristine ripe red cherries and berries. The spicy oak is well matched to a very fragrant edge. The palate has a beautifully silky and supple feel. Concentrated flavors of ripe dark cherries and plums are laced with mocha and spice. The depth is impressive, the balance impeccable. Drink or hold.