La Nieta 2010

In the village location of Páganos, near Laguardia, at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria Mountains, the Eguren family started up a project in 1998 to create a unique underground bodega, carved out beneath a vineyard lying on very poor soils, clay-loam in texture and with a high mineral content that comes out in the wines. The sole variety to hold sway here is the Queen of Rioja, the Tempranillo in its purest form, and in combination with the Egurens’ characteristic great dexterity, the end result is wines with tremendous personality, profound, and highly-praised by consumers, well-received by the international press and enjoyed at the finest tables in the world.

Appearance

Very deep Picota cherry red in colour, with violet hues on the rim that tinge the glass. Highly visible fine tears coat the glass.

Nose

Very elegant. Rather shy at first. Coolness, with hints of eucalyptus. Slightly reduced nose, displaying subtle marine notes with liqueur fruit nuances and very floral.

Palate

Layered, flavoursome, with just the right volume. Notes of ripe red and black fruit very much in evidence. Hints of incense and an electric touch on the tongue. A very fine and elegant finish.

Remarks

With exceptional care, the grapes are de-stalked by hand and subsequently fermented in oak vats, and finally aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels, with a scant twenty of them filled. After starting officially in 2004, a noticeable change of format is exhibited in this 2010 version. It has excellent acidity and displays fine, elegant and creamy tannins that meld into a perfect combination, making it delicate but with clear evidence of a very long life ahead. Right now, due to its youthfulness and strong fruit presence, it is ideal for cuisine that is not strongly flavoured but generously seasoned and even rich in fat, since it is sufficiently delicate to show versatility whenever required. La Nieta, so gentle, so lovely, and with so much to look forward to.

Serving temperature

from 14º to 16º C