From one plot of clonally biodiverse old vines growing in rocky soils planted to mostly Tempranillo with a healthy amount of Graciano, Monastrell, and other grapes, the 2021 Salas was harvested in two phases two weeks apart. Highly rich in balsamic and spicy black pepper, the grape juice is black at harvest and remains super dark inky in color. Violet aromas permeate the medium-bodied core of earthy, crushed rock minerality from an intensely powerful vintage that benefitted from long aging in all new French oak barrels of different sizes for 18 months. After final blending, the wine was also given nine months in concrete amphorae and French oak.

95 Pts Jeb Dunnuck