Buena Pinta 2023

2023 / 92 puntos

The 2023 Buena Pinta comes from a year when they did an even shorter pruning, harvested later and made a longer élevage. Ponce wanted to avoid the reductive character—which didn't bother me at all—and show a more balsamic and juicy profile that he tells me reminds him of a Cabernet Franc. Since 2022, it's only Moravia Agria, as it does not have any more Garnacha in the blend. Like most reds, it fermented with 100% full clusters in 4,500-liter oak vats and matured in two 2,500-liter oak foudre for 13 months. The foudres were second-use only, and the wine has some oak aromas and flavors. It has 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.3 and 6.3 grams of acidity and is vibrant and fresh. To me, the oak is too intrusive—aromas, flavors and texture—but hopefully the wine will absorb it with time; today, it's a bit of a question mark. 5,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2024. I also tasted a 2013, with 90% Moravia Agria and 11.6% alcohol, and it was surprisingly fresh and nuanced, with character.