Marques de Tomares – Rioja Reserva 2017 (750ml)

An unusually warm Spring led to early bloom, followed by a dry, hot summer. Zero rainfall was recorded from July to October. Most producers, particularly in lower lying regions like Baja, were in desperate need of rain in September, and were forced to pick early to avoid loss of acidity and raisinated fruit. The higher elevation, old vine sites performed well if picked in early October. The best wines of the vintage balance dark fruit with acidity, and keep hard tannin at bay.