2017 Bhilar Struggling Vines 'Phinca Hapa' Tinto Rioja

Winemaker Notes:  Bodegas Bhilar is a boutique winery located in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, run by husband and wife team, David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman. Their goal is to make terroir-driven wines with soul, respect the land, work only with indigenous grapes, and to share their unique wines with good people with positive energy. In the year 1999, David started learning about the biodynamic philosophy and changed how he cared for his vineyards. First, he converted to organic farming and then began following tenants to recover the harmony between man, earth, vines, and cosmos. In 2014, tractors were eliminated and horses were brought back to farm the vineyards.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "I tasted the 2017 Phinca Hapa Tinto from bottle, as the last time I had tasted it from cask, and it's as good as anticipated. It's a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Viura with a shorter élevage than the majority of reds here, one year in 500-liter barrels and 10 months in a large foudre. It's perfumed and expressive with a mix of wildflowers and berries plus some notes of iron and cured meat and spices. It's medium to full-bodied and reveals fine, chalky tannins and a long finish with focused and clean flavors. I like it very much. 6,000 bottles produced."