2016 Moncerbal

The 2016 Moncerbal is a tad riper than Las Lamas from that same vintage. The fruit was darker and there was a touch of earth in the palate that lent it a subtle rusticity, as it doesn't have the clarity and precision. The palate revealed some dusty tannins and a dry finish. This is great but simply suffers in comparison with some of the other wines from the 2016 vintage. 3,523 bottles and some larger formats produced. There will be no 2017 of Moncerbal, as hail destroyed the crop, and we'll have to wait until the 2018 is released sometime in late 2020. The 2018 Moncerbal has the potential to be the finest Moncerbal ever.

Saturated ruby color. Deeply pitched cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, smoky minerals and lavender, along with a candied licorice note that emerges with air. Silky and alluringly sweet, offering concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that are sharpened by a strong jolt of juicy acidity. Finishes sweet, mineral and extremely long, showing superb delineation and smooth, even tannins that add framework to the wine's intense dark fruit.