Lanzaga (Telmo Rodríguez) Rioja La Estrada 2017

94 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): “The 2017 La Estrada, one of the new single-vineyard bottlings produced since 2014, comes from a northeast-facing 0.64-hectare plot, one of the highest vineyards in the village of Lanciego, at 610 meters in altitude, which helped to avoid the effect of the spring frost of 2017. It fermented in an open-top 3,000-liter oak vat and matured in a combination of foudres and barriques for 14 to 16 months. For me, La Estrada and El Velado are in a different quality level than Tabuerniga and Las Beatas. This has a very Rioja character, with a faint rusticity, ripeness and some dusty tannins, but it’s still very fresh for the conditions of the year. 1,932 bottles were filled in May 2019. Drink: 2020-2027. (Oct 2020)”

94 points Tim Atkin, MW: “(14%). La Estrada is a tiny parcel of 0.64 hectares that faces east on clay and limestone soils and makes small quantities of very intense, deeply coloured wines from Tempranillo and 4% Graciano. Tannic and dense, but with impressive purity, racy acidity and understated wood. Needs at least another year or two in bottle. 2023-32. (2021)”

94 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: “Crisp, complex. Colour: Chrry. Nose: balsamic herbs, sweet spices, scrubland, red berry notes. Palate: spicy, balsamic, good acidity. (2021)”