La Mejorada Las Norias 2018

Las Norias is a fresh and mineral wine from the historic vineyards of the La Mejorada winery located among the ruins of the old Olmedo Monastery in the region of Castile and Leon. Since 2007, the estate has belonged to the family firm of Rafael Moneo, one of the most renowned and award-winning architects in Spain – winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1996, among others. Thanks to his vision and work, the old cloisters and other ruins have been restored to be used for the winery's installations. Las Norias is named after the vineyard its grapes come from, a site home to water wheels (norias, in Spanish) supplying water to the monastery. A splendidly fresh and mineral Tempranillo wine which faithfully expresses its influence of siliceous soils and local microclimate. It is fermented in new French oak with local yeasts and aged for 12 months in 300-litre French oak barrels, a quarter of which are made from new wood, whereas the others are previously used casks. The result is an intensely-coloured, bright claret red Tempranillo with a fresh nose of ripe dark fruits (blackberries) and red fruits (raspberries) backed up with mineral and herbal notes and toasted and spicy hints, It is balanced, powerful, creamy and soothing in the mouth with a velvety feel and a long fruity finish. Ready for drinking and enjoying immediately, it also has a promising future if left to age. A newcomer in the world of wine, relatively unknown by many wine-lovers, but with great ratings from specialized wine critics.