Carlos Sanchez 'Bienlarme Lagrimas Bellas' Rioja Tinto 2022

Carlos Sanchez would have to be the Spanish discovery of the year. Originally from
Sierra de Gredos (aka Grenache territory and home to Comando G) but now based
in Labastida in Rioja growing and making Tempranillo. Note: Labastida is also home
to Spanish young-gun Jose Gil who is also making waves of late ? is this small village become the epicentre of the new Rioja? To the wine itself: a blend of two parcels, organically farmed. The wine is dominated by youthful red fruit, so much so that I had assumed that there was a good chunk of Grenache in this. But, apparently not, making it even more impressive for the way in which the fruit is so elevated and aromatic. Rioja of years gone by (correction: a lot is still made, we just avoid it) can be over-ripe with flavours of sultana and dried fruit, shrouded in American oak and stinking of alcohol. This is at the other end of the spectrum, providing tension, brightness and underlying crush rock minerality. Again, definite similarities to the wines of Jose Gil here. Fortunately, despite the wine?s qualities, there is also a degree of ?slurpability? here. If all you?re looking for is a delicious red wine, this won?t come across as too ambitious or serious. Rather, it has interest and drinkability in equal parts. ? Ches Cook, FWC.