2011 Remelluri, Lindes de Remelluri Rioja, Vinedos de Labastida, Rioja Alavesa, Spain.
Made from old vines not farmed on the estate, Remelluri’s Lindes de Remelluri Rioja offerings are in my opinion the best young Rioja reds made for the money, and especially captivating and rewarding is the Lindes de Remelluri Labastida. Grown at elevation on chalky soils the Labastida showing wonderful depth, life and length, made from mostly ancient Tempranillo, it mostly likely has a good dose of Graciano and Garnacha in the blend making for a complex wine of sublime texture and detail. Telmo Rodriguez is coy about winemaking and varietals, he really only wants to showcase terroir in his wines, so getting exact grapes and process is like pulling teeth, but the wines are truly gorgeous and his two Lindes de Remelluri 2011, this Labastida and the San Vicente are wines to look for, they both are stunning values and savvy cellar choices, while Telmo’s estate offerings, the white, estate red and Gran Reserva red are world class. The 2011 Labastida Lindes de Remelluri starts with dark wild flowers, hints of truffle, smoke and black currants leading to a rich and polished palate of cherry, plum and fig fruits with anise, cola berry, cedar and exotic spices. There is vitality and refined tannins holding everything together and while lavish in feel there is underlying substance and power here, Remelluri has gone it’s own direction and it is well worth the ride, and this 2011 Lindes de Remelluri Labastida is highly entertaining, deeply impressive and a sensual delight, drink from 2016 to 2024
($30 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
