2019 Hacienda Monasterio Reserva

The difference between the Reserva 2016 and the regular Hacienda Monasterio (the wine that used to be called Crianza) is that they select the grapes from the parts of the vineyard where there is more limestone in the soil. It is a blend of mainly Tempranillo with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and then aged for 20 months in French barriques of which 40% is new oak. The oak is perfectly integrated and the wine has an impressive nose with more red than black fruit, which indicates freshness. It is quite polished and has very elegant tannins. This is a great vintage for this bottling - the Cabernet Sauvignon is very integrated with the Tempranillo and complements it. It is powerful but has great balance and great finesse.