Red Wine Phincas 2018
Availability: In stock
This is the new vintage of Phincas, a characterful Spanish red wine produced by DSG Vineyards which faithfully exemplifies La Rioja's increasingly expanding "terroirist" trend.
It is made from 4 little plots of organically and biodynamically farmed low-yielding vineyards located near the town of Elvillar, Álava. The 30 to 100-year-old grapevines totalize 2.5 hectares.
As for the composition, this Vino de Paraje is made principally from Tempranillo, complemented with Graciano, Grenache and, following the Rioja tradition of adding a tiny amount of white grapes to red blends, a brushstroke of Viura.
Harvested by hand, only half of the grapes were destemmed. Both halves were fermented into a big wooden vat with indigenous yeasts. Then they were pressed and transferred into 500-litre French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation was completed. After that, Phincas 2018 was aged for 36 months in the barrels, after which it was transferred into 8,000-litre French oak vats, where this organic red wine was further aged for 6 months.
We suggest that you decant this red wine from La Rioja at least 30 minutes before drinking.
Production around 10,000 bottles.
Appearance | The red wine Phincas is medium purple with a cherry rim. |
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Nose | Right from the start, one realizes that this blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Graciano and Viura is not your ordinary Rioja. Truly original and characteristic, showing a clear terroir imprint and a sort of gravitas that is both intriguing and extremely attractive. Fruit is juicy and spicy, with a delicious note of Amarena cherries, and there are many balsamic remembrances, as well as a deep mineral core and notes of lavender and aromatic herbs. |
Palate | Again, the first thing that we notice in this red wine from Bodegas Bhilar (from DSG Vineyards) is a distinctive, truly idiosyncratic character. This is indeed a quite serious Crianza red wine, though never austere or forbidding. Intricate and multilayered, bearing the mark of terroir, with excellent acidity and a remarkable ageing potential. Extremely mineral and balsamic, with nicely integrated wood and a very long, complex finish. |
Our personal opinion | The captivating Phincas 2018 is an invitation to rethink Rioja. |
OTHER VINTAGES | Phincas 2015: Enterwine 93. Phincas DSG 2014: Enterwine 93. Parker 90. Phincas DSG 2013: Enterwine 93. Phincas DSG 2011: Enterwine 93. Parker 90. Phincas DSG 2010: Parker 90. |
Year | 2018 |
Type | Red |
D.O. | Rioja |
Bottle size | 75 cl |
Serving tempurature | 16-18ºC |
Should this wine be decanted? | 30 minutes before serving |
Does this wine follow the guidelines of biodynamic Farming? | Yes |
Organic | Yes |
Ageing | Crianza |
Type of ageing | Months in French oak barrels |
Number of months aged in Barrels | 36 |
Parker's Score | 93 |
Enterwine's Score | 92 |
Media rating | 93 |
Percentage of variety | Tempranillo 70%, Graciano 15%, Grenache 10%, Viura 5%. |
Pairings | Birds, Cooked foods, Cured cheeses, Game animals, Red meat with gravy, Roasted lamb, Roasted lamb ribs, Roasted red meats, Rosted piglet, Specialty Spanish prosciutto , Stews |
Taste | Complex and Elegant, Silky and intense, Tasty with barrel notes |
Occasion | Business dinner, Dinner with friends, Family reunion, To bring to an engagement |