The cycle began with a very rainy autumn. The winter was very cold and loaded with several snowfalls, which resulted in a late sprouting that marked the development of the entire vegetative cycle. Spring was also rainy giving way to a summer in which high temperatures came later than usual. The delay in the cycle was maintained until maturity, beginning the harvest of red grapes on October 15th. The fruit arrived at the winemaking cellar with good sanitary status and maturation. The grades were medium and the levels of acidity fairly balanced giving rise to wines with great potential both for early consumption and for ageing as well as storage.

100% old vine Tempranillo from a selection of 4 specific, small vineyard plots in the upper and highest part of the village of Labastida. The "La Cabaña" (parcel planted in 1964), the "El Bosque" parcel (planted in 1975), the "Espirbel" parcel and the "Marrate" parcel (planted in 1997, the maverick in the blend) together create our "Essencia Rioja" wine that is the epitomy of what good Tempranillo can achieve. The grapes are cold macerated during 4 days followed by controlled alcoholic fermentation at 28ºC. The first selection of grapes occurs in each plot, the second careful selection is executed with the help of a Vistalys, the latest optical selection table from Bucher Vaslin, which carries out a strict control so that only perfect berries go through. The stalks are removed from the grapes without squeezing them. Grapes are maintained in controlled  conditions, with long macerations at low temperatures in oak casks with the cap submerged. The must is naturally pumped over using gravity in order to achieve the best extraction of polyphenols.

* 100% Tempranillo.