The 2008 Unnum is sourced from Tempranillo vines planted between 1931 and 1946. It has a dense, inky bouquet of dark cherry and cassis fruit with just a touch of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with sinewy tannins and it displays impressive depth, with roiling dark, broody, licorice-tinged fruit. The finish is still closed, so I would afford another 12 to 24 months bottle age. Drink 2013-2022.
Located in the village of Briones in Rioja Alta, Bodegas Miguel Merino offer exemplary modern Rioja wine sourced from their own Tempranillo vines planted between 1931 and 1963 at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level. The Tempranillo vines are augmented by small plots of Mazuelo and Graciano that are occasionally bottled separately. The wine is then matured in a combination of new American, French and Hungarian oak.
Importer: T. Edward Wines, New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504