El Portillo 2021

2021 / 94 puntos

The single-vineyard red 2021 El Portillo comes from a 1.46-hectare plot at 829 meters above sea level planted with a field blend of Tinto Fino, Garnacha and Valenciano (Bobal), quite normal in the old times, as this vineyard was planted in 1936. The wine has more of everything—complexity, depth and also elegance and balance—with contained ripeness and 14% alcohol, very good freshness and natural acidity and comes through as fine-boned and elegant. It's floral, perfumed and insinuating, with a lively medium-bodied palate, vibrant flavors and a finish with echoes of acid berries. It matured in a 3,000-liter oak vat for 11 months. 3,000 bottles were filled in September 2022. It's approachable now but should also age.