2017 Bodegas Hermanos Pecina Senorio de P. Pecina Rioja Crianza [WA92]

Producer: Bodegas Hermanos Pecina 
Region: Rioja, Spain 
Blend: 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Garnacha 
Year: 2017  

Featured in our Top 10 Under $20: Red Wine Edition blog post!

This is a truly artisan-scale Rioja crafted in the Old World tradition, exuding both masculinity and finesse.  Pedro Peciña, former winemaker at the legendary La Rioja Alta, has acquired a handful of small parcels planted in thin, chalky soils throughout the slightly cooler, high-elevation northern reaches of Rioja.  I continue to be blown away at the unusual degree of purity, aromatic intensity and depth that this producer coaxes out of their Crianza for such a modest price.

This is simply not the typical lean, youthful fruit that we often see in the Crianza designation:  Wines whose more primary flavors are the result of a short barrel and bottle maturation period (typically 2 years).  This wine sees a 3-year élevage in neutral American oak barrels and is racked twice annually for subtle introduction of oxygen, then bottled unfiltered after a natural gentle egg white fining.

I found it to be very developed and approachable upon release, but offering the immense structure and dark, brooding fruit character normally found in a Reserva bottling. The tannins are ripe and supple on the palate following a burst of blackberry, cherry-vanilla, cassis, old leather, spice box and tobacco.  A robust yet pretty wine with plenty of stuffing for aging, and showcasing the classic savory herb and spice character of the region. - Jordan Wardlaw, Import Wine Specialist 

Alcohol: 14.2%

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.