Gaudium

Slightly warm year, with accumulated rainfall slightly above the historical average. After the beginning of the year alternated cold and humid periods with dry and warm ones, a warm and humid interval began at budbreak and lasted until the beginning of June. From then on, dry and warm weather prevailed, with storms and occasional showers in mid-July and August. The months from September to November tended to be cool and dry, allowing the harvest date to be modulated according to the ripeness of the grapes.

Clayey-limestone soils on limestone rock. Steep ravines that are only used for the cultivation of small vineyards.

Small old vines over 70 years old, some of them pre-phylloxera vines over 100 years old. Yields of less than 1 kg of grapes per plant. Plots are staggered at various altitudes, ranging between 400 and 650 m in Rioja Alta and in terraces up to 740 m in Rioja Alavesa.

The grapes are hand-picked in 15 kg boxes, in small batches according to each small vineyard. The grapes are cooled in cold chambers for a few hours and then carefully sorted by hand cluster by cluster on a sorting table.

Gravity vatting, no pumping over. Slow whole-grain alcoholic fermentation in small stainless steel tanks and wooden vats with indigenous yeast. Prolonged maceration, but avoiding over- extraction. Malo-lactic fermentation in French oak barrels. All movements by gravity and with the utmost care.

18 months minimum in new barrels of fine-grained and extra-fine French oak, selected from the best forests, finished with a respectful medium toasting. In this vintage, 127 new French oak barrels were used.

2 years minimum before the launch date.