2014 Descendientes de J. Palacios La Faraona

When I first tasted the 2014 La Faraona my heart started beating faster. But it was during a very intense moment and I was not sure. But when I put my nose in the glass, after pouring it when sitting down in front of my computer to taste all the 2014s and 2015s, I knew it was a true coup de coeur—a sensation, an intuition and emotion only a handful of wines are capable of. There are similarities with the 2013, but this 2014 is more profound; it has more complexity, and there are herbal nuances that, again, took me to the Loire, dark spices, earthy hints, tobacco, flowers. The palate is symmetric, precise, textured and with a very long finish. There is some austerity here, but the ripeness felt just perfect. I think this is clearly a 100 pointer.

When I first tasted the 2014 La Faraona my heart started beating faster. But it was during a very intense moment and I was not sure. But when I put my nose in the glass, after pouring it when sitting down in front of my computer to taste all the 2014s and 2015s, I knew it was a true coup de coeur—a sensation, an intuition and emotion only a handful of wines are capable of. There are similarities with the 2013, but this 2014 is more profound; it has more complexity, and there are herbal nuances that, again, took me to the Loire, dark spices, earthy hints, tobacco, flowers. The palate is symmetric, precise, textured and with a very long finish. There is some austerity here, but the ripeness felt just perfect. I think this is clearly a 100 pointer. In 2014, the wine is made up of 95% Mencía, 3% white grapes (Jerez and Godello) and 2% Alicante Bouschet and Gran Negro. 597 bottles, 45 magnums, 5 double magnums and 4 Jeroboams were filled on March 16, 2016.

Amazing aromas and flavors of dried flowers and black pepper with blackcurrants and cranberries. Full body, firm and silky tannins, and a fresh and mineral aftertaste. A sensational wine. Better in 2020. Oct 2016, www.jamessuckling.com