La Poza de Ballesteros, Bodegas Artadi 2021

The sample of the 2021 La Poza de Ballesteros finished fermentation and malolactic but was kept in barrel for a little longer because the 2020 had not yet been bottled and was in barrel for two or three months after finishing malolactic, which is when they find the oak marks the wines. There are some 30% 500-liter barrels, which they are increasing in future years, to have all between 500- and 600-liter barrels; and they have managed to get some 630-liter oak barrels. This is usually the most approachable of the single-vineyard wines. This is a little marked by the oak, but it is round and juicy, open and expressive, with round tannins. It is pretty much in the style of the vineyard, generous but with good freshness and even some austerity. 2021 could be similar to 2015—clean and fruit-driven but with abundant tannins and quite structured. The wine grew as it sat in the glass, becoming more aromatic and perfumed...