Rioja "Paraje de la Virgen", MacRobert & Canals 2021

Here's an exciting new Rioja estate, based in Lanciego (Rioja Alavesa) that's specializing in modern, single parcel wines of exceptional purity, structure and intensity. Here, in the "middle level" bottling, 100 year-old vine Garnacha, Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Viura and Graciano are given a gentle, hands-off treatment to create a sumptuous, ageworthy Rioja that emphasizes site and vintage rather than excessive amounts of oak, which is kept to a minimum in all MacRobert & Canals wines. We're guessing that in a couple of years, the wines of this wonderful new firm will be in high demand. Outstanding!