2018 Miguel Merino "Mazuelo de la Quinta Cruz" Rioja (Previously $35)

I also tasted the 2018 Mazuelo de la Quinta Cruz, which follows the style of the 2017 with a bright ruby color and a classical, clean and balanced nose that denotes youth. The nose was a bit closed and took time to take off, but the perfumed fruit was noticeable in the palate straight away. It's only 12.5% alcohol, a little lighter and certainly more ethereal than the 2017, but it seems to have developed full flavors through a slow ripening process. This 2018 went through malolactic and 14 months aging in four 500-liter casks and five 225-liter barriques, and the oak is neatly folded into the wine. Transparent is a word that comes to mind. Purity and symmetry. (LG) (10/2020)