Navarra Tinto, 'Santa Cruz de Artazu'

Score

94

"The 2017 Santa Cruz de Artazu is a lighter style, more elegant with better freshness (it has a very good pH), keeping the typicity of the Garnacha from the zone. This comes from small plots planted with old vines that survived the concentración parcelaria (a land consolidation exercise that destroyed the majority of old vineyards). It has a fine palate with vibrant flavors, great purity and very integrated oak. Really great showing for this bottling, one of the best I remember. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 10 months. It's very drinkable. 6,000 bottles were filled in September 2019."

Score

96

"Wonderful aromas of rose petals, blackberries, crushed cement and dark stones follow through to a full body, with a very deep and profound palate that draws you down to the essence of its character. Give it two to three years to come together. Try in 2021."