Majuelos de Espana’s Rioja offering is the 2009 Solar de Castro Vendimia Seleccionada, a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards, all over 30 years of age. It was fermented with native yeasts, went through malolactic in barrel, and was aged for 12 months in new French oak. It offers up an enticing nose of balsam wood, leather, Asian spices, lavender, and black cherry. In the glass it is smooth-textured, spicy, incipiently complex, and sweetly-fruited. With outstanding volume, impeccable balance, and a lengthy, pure finish, this outstanding effort will continue to evolve for another 2-3 years and deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2024. Majuelos de Espana, headed by Felipe Alvarez, is a negociant group whose grape growers and winemakers are devoted to recovering old Majuelos (Vineyards) across Spain. Majuelos de Espana’s offerings from Ribera del Duero are all barrel samples of 100% Tinta Fine (Tempranillo) from the great 2009 vintage.Importer: Felipe Alvarez, Majuelos de Espana, www.majuelos.com