Terras Gauda 2013 Quinta Sardonia 750ml

The 2013 Quinta Sardonia was cropped from a challenging year when they learned more than in any other vintage. They had to harvest a little earlier to avoid botrytis, and they saw that it represented no problem. In fact, they kept the practice for future vintages. Since 2012 they never use new barriques for this wine, they use the new carrels with the other wines. They also started using some 1,200-liter oak foudres, except for the Cabernet that is always aged in barrique. The blend changes slightly from year to year, as they always think in terms of soils rather than varietals. This year the bottled wine has slightly lower alcohol than in previous years. The nose is serious, quite Bordeaux, with spicy aromas, more of a cool-climate character, with a minty touch and a spark that lifts it up. I clearly noticed the input from the Cabernet Sauvignon. I think this wine has changed since 2012. The tannins are very fine and with a chalky texture from the limestone soils, which are the ones selected for this wine. This is softer and more elegant than the vintages of yesteryear. Some 22,000 bottles produced.

Score: 94 points -- Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, Feb 2017