Aguja del Fraile, Vinos de Madrid, 2016
Routinely darker in expression next to Cien Lanzas, it is always has an extra layer of verticality, minerality and grip, this year delivered with a sense of austerity that implies good aging potential, Aguja del Fraile is all about forest fruits, salted plums and raspberries. In 2019 it was a blend of 5 plots from four predominantly east-facing plots averaging 800m in elevation and 70 year old vines. Aguja del Fraile (Needle of the Friar) takes its name from the mountain tops visible from the village of Cadalso de los Vidrios. Fermented with whole bunches and aged for 15 months in used oak.
critic reviews
A new village red from Cadalso de los Vidrios, the 2016 Aguja del Fraile is produced with grapes from four different plots located at 850 to 880 meters in altitude, where they feel the wines are more fragrant and expressive. It's mostly Garnacha with perhaps 5% Carinena, a moderate 13.5% alcohol and good acidity after fermenting with full clusters and natural yeasts and aging in oak barrels for some 15 months. It's fragrant, open and expressive and has great tension, showing the freshness of the higher altitude vineyards, keeping the Cadalso fruit. It has a very hedonistic profile but with a sharp and vertical palate. Great debut for this bottling. 1,870 bottles were filled in January 2018.