The 2017 Malleolus is also pure Tempranillo, in this case from small parcels (in Spanish "majuelo" and in Latin "malleolus") of vines aged between 25 and 75 years of age. Yields were reduced by 50% in 2017, so it's a very unusual vintage. It matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. As I found with the rest of 2017s, this is very expressive, aromatic and fresh, floral, aromatic, happy and expressive, without excess ripening and with fruit in the foreground and the oak neatly folded into the fruit. It's juicy, medium to full-bodied, perhaps not as concentrated as others, but balanced, with fine-grained tannins; it's very pleasant and representative of the grape and zone. Very good for the conditions of the year. 180,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.

A thread of pepper weaves through the cherry, clove and boysenberry flavors of this sinewy red. Notes of zesty herb, anise and tea dovetail on the structured finish. Drink now through 2026. 7,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.??–GS??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add