The 2018 Urtiga is a field blend (some 63 grapes in the blend) aged in French oak for 18 months, mostly in 2,000-liter vessels. This comes in at 15.6% alcohol. These are pre-phylloxera, centenarian vines. This seems shockingly fresh for a wine so big and so ripe. The fruit is fragrant and expressive, simply delicious. The tannins are not too hard. It is rather polished, but without a doubt, the key here is the big fruit, some raspberries, cherries and other red fruits in a surprisingly nuanced package. This seems irresistible and delicious but also elegant, despite its size. It looks like a big winner.
How well will it age? Well, it's the first vintage, there is no track record and the tannins are moderately ripe, but I'd bet 20 years would be safe. It might do more, but I doubt it will do a lot less. Overall, let's see this make its case in the cellar both in aging ability and in terms of holding its balance. Right at the moment, it is very promising. There were 3,100 bottles produced.
