Prieto Picudo 2014, Raúl Pérez 'Paraje el Santo'

In this cuvée, from a single vineyard, the vines are 80-90 years old and the farming is done entirely by hand. Aged for two years in neutral barrels and 2 years in bottle before release.

The most aromatic red is the 2014 Paraje de El Santo. The grapes from old vines planted on sandy soils in conjunction with the cooler year delivered a wine with less alcohol and higher acidity, more freshness and a more elegant profile, all within the rusticity of the grape and the zone, of course! It has a floral touch intermixed with spices and an earthy touch. The palate reveals abundant fine-grained tannins. This vintage is a little less austere and has character and a strong personality. 2,100 bottles were filled in December 2016. 94pts - Wine Advocate

Raul and the team work the vineyards very responsibly – practicing organic and a viticulture style that maintains the local traditions of very low bush pruning techniques. In the winery, Raul works with native yeasts, no to low sulphur and large old wood. Many of the reds see long aging in wood and, somewhat uniquely, in the cases of the single parcel wines, long aging under flor. This process he feels helps to refine the acids and tannins to produce wines of great complexity and elegance.