Rolland Galarreta Tempranillo/Merlot 2014
Editor Rating
- Rated 4 stars
- Excellent
- Ribera del Duero
- Reviewed by: Treve Ring
- Published on: May 9, 2018
- Last modified: May 9, 2018
Review Summary:
Roasted meats, brooding, rich dark fruits, crushed violets, caramelized root veg fill the savoury palate of this luring red. It's impossible to miss that Michel Rolland is involved (it's right there in the name after all), but if this were poured blind, you could still recognize his handiwork. Rolland has partnered with Javier Galarreta on this Ribera del Duero Tempranillo/Merlot blend. The grapes are 35 years old, grown on skinny soils over limestone bedrock. The ample French oak (10 months spent) is here well-integrated into the dense black fruits, with espresso and sticky pipe tobacco tannins framing lifted by swells of acidity (this is from vineyards at 900m altitude). Sweet baking spices and vanilla linger on the finish. This is drinking well now, but will certainly rest a few years in your cellar.