Las Cenizas 2021

Fine oak spices with some dark chili chocolate and hazelnuts to the ripe blue and black berry fruit. Hint of graphite, too. Juicy and compact on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm, dusty tannins and quite a long, tight finish. Already enjoyable, but will withstand aging in the next five to six years. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Las Cenizas is a village red from three vineyards in Cenicero, a more Mediterranean zone with soils with more clay and limestone that deliver unctuous wines with freshness (14.4% alcohol and a pH of 3.66). It's mostly Tempranillo that fermented in concrete with portion of uncrushed grapes. It matured in 60% American oak and 40% French oak (new and second use) for 15 months. It has a more classical profile with the effect of the American wood—sweet spices and coconut. It's a little too oaky for my taste, but I'm sure that fans of the style will enjoy it, as it has balance to age and polish those notes and tannins from the barrels. 20,720 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.