Telmo Rodriguez Yjar 2018 Rioja

Yjar 2018 is a full-bodied red wine from Telmo Rodriguez, a single-vineyard cuvée from the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa. The grapes come from a high-altitude vineyard of 3.8 hectares on calcareous soils, planted as a massal selection of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro and Rojal. The nose is deep and perfumed, with violet, black cherries, crushed blueberries and cocoa powder, then Spanish cigars that move towards truffle, black pepper, incense and fresh herbs. The palate is juicy yet composed and dry, with fine-grained tannins unwinding evenly, and the style is plush but restrained, with precision and length.