Remelluri, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010

Telmo Rodridguez shows once again just what heart and soul there is to be found in single-vineyard Rioja, as this is his second vintage made only with estate-grown fruit. From a character-filled blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Viura and Malvasia, made with indigenous yeasts and aged for 17 months in the barrel. Rich, floral character with earthy fig notes, sweet liquorice and white pepper spicing. This is filled with silky precision and has a beautiful contraction of the finish – it’s the essence of what is meant by the term ‘wet stones’ in tasting notes.