The 2009 La Nieta is a 4,000-bottle cuvee of pure Tempranillo sourced from a single vineyard in Paganos (Laguardia). The singularity of this 1.75 hectare plot of vineyards is that the bedrock is almost on the surface, with 18% active chalk in it. In other words, it’s a very poor soil where the vines struggle to survive and produce small bunches of concentrated grapes, especially the vines that are planted directly on the rock. That’s why they select it grape by grape. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel with pumping-over and the wine transferred to new French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation is carried out and the wine ages for 18 months. It has a very fresh nose of small berries with a lactic, spicy note starting to develop complexity. The medium-bodied palate has fine tannins, very good acidity with plenty of stuffing in a serious wine with great balance and length. With time and air it develops a subtle balsamic note of aromatic herbs. It’s a great elegant, subtle Rioja. Drink 2014-2028.