Description
96 points Vinous: Brilliant violet. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, vanilla, exotic spices, cola and potpourri. Deeply concentrated and broad on the palate but shows unlikely energy as well, thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Boysenberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and mocha flavors display outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky nuance on the back half. Rounded, well-judged tannins frame the finish, which hangs on with superb, mineral- and floral-driven tenacity.
95 points Wine Advocate: The generously oaked single-vineyard Tempranillo 2016 Malleolus de Sancho Martín is perfumed underneath the oak and has power but also elegance and freshness. It’s more elegant and balanced than the Valderramiro, more aromatic, complex and nuanced. It’s full-bodied and reveals abundant, fine-grained, chalky tannins. Very good in its style.
95 points Decanter: This vineyard has been grafted with clones from the oldest vineyards. While it is more tannic and has more acidity than the other Emilio Moro single-vineyard wine, Malleolus de Valderramiro, it is also more fragrant and refined. Fermented and aged in French oak, which results in an altogether elegant approach to this style of Ribera del Duero. Drinking Window 2021 – 2030.
95 points Wine Spectator: A rich, robust red, with racy streaks of orange peel acidity and iron-laced minerality buoying concentrated flavors of kirsch and dried raspberry as well as an aromatic beam of spice box, dried mint, licorice and toasty smoke. Its expressive character is well-meshed with a powerful frame of dense tannins. This will show best if decanted now or aged in the short term. Best from 2025.
