Capitán Fanegas Selección Especial 2013

The red 2013 Capitán Fanegas Selección Especial wants to be an elegant and traditional Rioja. It was produced with Tempranillo planted in 1982 and with an unusually high amount of Graciano (40%) planted in 1999. The destemmed but uncrushed grapes fermented in stainless steel with soft pumping over and some punching down of the cap, with malolactic in tanks before being transferred to 300- and 500-liter French and American oak barrels to complete an élevage of 16 months. It's quite fruit-driven, clean, focused and with a spicy and earthy component but nicely integrated oak. The palate revealed very fine tannins and very good balance, with clean, focused flavors and a remarkable finish. Halfway between modernity and tradition. 3,994 bottles and some magnums were filled in September 2016. - Luis Gutiérrez.