A blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha. The Tempranillo vines have an average age of 70 years, grown on clay-limestone terraces at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño in the Sonsierra region. The Garnacha comes from 90-year-old vineyards planted on clay-ferrous terraces in the Cárdenas area, in Alto Najerilla. The wine was aged for three and a half years in French oak barrels half new and half used before extended bottle ageing. The historical figure on the bottle label represents the engine driver, with his cap and work overalls blackened by carbon soot, a key figure in the transportation of both grapes and wine across the Rioja region and beyond.

Cherry red in colour with some russet on the rim as expected with a wine of this age. Dark fruit and orange peel on the nose with hints of licorice and spice. Long ageing has added to the complexity with additional tertiary notes of balsamic, nuts and tobacco. On the palate, the smooth tannins are balanced by refreshing acidity. The wine is very long and complex on the finish. "Lustrous dark crimson. Complex and utterly echt, with a long life ahead of it. Really serious wine." 17.5 Jancisrobinson.com