Produced from vines aged more than 80 years grown in the clay/limestone soils of the village of La Horra which are farmed with a specific intent to produce low yields of ripe, healthy grapes. Yields are below 15 hectoliters/hectare. De-stemmed berries were fermented for 22 days prior to pressing in a small capacity, gentle, vertical basket press. Aged 12 months in 80% new French and 20% new American oak barrels followed by one racking into 100% new French oak for a total of 16 months in oak. Bottled October 2007 without filtration or clarification.
The 2005 Neo Punta Esencia is a large-scaled behemoth with lots of fruit and the structure to match. It presents a superb aromatic array of toasty new oak, mineral, truffle, violets, licorice, and blackberry. On the palate it is full-bodied, weighty, and powerful leading to a rich, full-flavored finish. It should easily have a 30 year lifespan. Issue 189, June 2010
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
94
Deep ruby. Smoky dark berries and cherry liqueur on the nose, with complicating notes of Asian spices, cola and cured meat. Luscious dark berry flavors are impressively lithe and precise, betraying no excess weight or overt oakiness. Silky tannins add gentle grip to the impressively long, exuberant finish, which leaves behind hints of cola, cracked pepper and mocha. Issue 139, July/Aug '08
