Mas Que Vinos "La Plazuela" 2005
(Ribera del Arlanza, Spain) - [F 94] [WA 90]

About the Winery:
In 1999 we founded Más Que Vinos, our wine consulting company, working for wineries such as Valduero, Remírez de Ganuza, Alvear, Valserrano and Barón de Ley. At the same time we began our own project making our first Ercavio wines with grapes from the old family vineyards in Gonzalo's hometown, Dosbarrios, in the province of Toledo. We restored the historic family winery of 1851 called "La Plazuela”, with its emblematic tinajas (clay amphorae) and it is here where we age our flagship wine La Plazuela.

Notes from the Winemaker:
La Plazuela is a tribute to the continental wine, a wine that through its complexity and uniqueness truly reflects its origin, that seduces and offers exclusive tasting pleasure.

The palate is elegant and powerful, marked by flavors of ripe black fruits, licorice, spice, tobacco and cocoa notes. The finish is long, well balanced and velvety.

80% Cencibel (Tempranillo) and 20% Garnacha

94 Points - Falstaff:
"A touch of Portugal in Castile: a quarter of Touriga Nacional contributes to the spicy, almost wild peppery and chocolate aroma; powerful, tannic." (Apr 2013)

90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 
"The 2005 La Plazuela is a blend of 90% Cencibel (Tempranillo) and 10% Garnacha. The Cencibel vines range in age from 90 to 105 years. Deep garnet-colored, it offers up an excellent nose of toasty oak, pencil lead, and blackberry. A bit firm and compact on the palate, it has plenty of spicy fruit, good concentration, and a lengthy finish. Another 2-3 years of cellaring may round it out in which case my rating will appear stingy." (Jun 2009)