2013 Olivier Rivière "La Vallada", Arlanza

2013 was a very difficult vintage in the zone, and there are some herbal, leafy aromas intermixed with the classical raspberry notes of Tempranillo, as well as some red licorice and imperceptible oak. The vineyard was planted some 15 years ago in the village of Covarrubias, a clos (vallada means enclosed) of two hectares. The destemmed grapes fermented in stainless steel with a couple of bins (some 15% going through chronic maceration). Half of the wine goes into well-seasoned barrels and the other half into stainless steel, trying to preserve the freshness. The palate is quite light and fresh, making it easy to drink. The nose reveals more and more cool-climate with time in the glass, as the reduction disappeared and the green tobacco and tea leaf aromas took over. This is ready now and I don't feel it's a vintage to age for a long time. 15,000 bottles produced.Olivier Rivière continues producing small quantities of red wines in Arlanza. The single vineyard El Quemado from 2012 was still not bottled, so I only tasted the 'village' wines including Viñas del Cadastro, which in 2012 is simply superb.