Crafted from grapes harvested at optimal ripeness during a pristine vintage, the 2021 El Escolladero comprises 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano sourced from Ábalos, Rioja Alta. Aged for up to 12 months in French foudres, it reveals a deep purple hue and a reductive balsamic nose accented by blackberry, violet and grapefruit notes. On the palate, it offers a dry, juicy and chalky texture. Refreshing acidity and fine-grained tannins lead to a lingering finish-primary and intensely fruity. This wine epitomizes the new Rioja style, focusing on terroir-driven expressions from specific vineyard sites.

El Escolladero is a vineyard planted in 1950 in the village of Ábalos at 660 meters in altitude. As with most reds, I tasted two vintages of it, 2021 and 2022. The 2021 El Escolladero, produced with 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano from the 0.96 hectares of vines, fermented with uncrushed grapes and matured in 600-liter oak foudres. It has the aromatic finesse of the 2021s, elegant, open, expressive, very clean, transparent and focused. The palate is beautifully textured, with very fine and elegant tannins and great freshness. 2,000 bottles were filled in December 2022.