Bernabeleva Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tórtolas 2018 750ml

Bright violet. Intensely perfumed aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, incense, spicecake and licorice, plus a smoky mineral overtone. Pliant, palate-staining boysenberry, bitter cherry and violet pastille flavors show excellent clarity and solid thrust, and juicy acidity provides freshness. Rich but vibrant in style, with superb finishing lift and excellent, youthfully tannic persistence. (Josh Raynolds)

The 2018 Arroyo del Tórtolas achieved full ripeness and 15.5% alcohol despite which the wine doesn’t feel warm or too ripe. It’s balsamic and aromatic, and although it feels a little shaken by the recent bottling, it feels very complete, with a little more of everything but still in balance. I believe this will make a beautiful bottle of Arroyo del Tórtolas with a few years in bottle. 3,300 bottles were filled in February 2020.