“Really wild! But lots of fun.” - Jancis Robinson MW

“One of the most elegant and refined wines from northeastern Spain.” - Decanter, 96 points

”Stunning.” - The Wine Advocate, 97 points

I’m going to do my best not to mention Chateau Rayas, although it’s difficult, because whenever a wine merchant tastes a pale-coloured Grenache (or Garnacha in this case), they will invariably waffle on about how it reminds them of Chateau Rayas, even if they’ve never tried Chateau Rayas, which is highly probable, because Chateau Rayas costs about £3,000 a bottle. How am I doing?

The ‘La Dama’ 2018 is a pale-coloured Garnacha from very old vines in Navarra and its texture is as silky as a puppy’s ear. Its delicate flavours of ripe cherry, plum compote, fig and white pepper feel compact and layered, like a book of pressed flowers. A delicious alternative to Chateau Rayas! Doh. 14.5% alc. Drink now-2036.

Press reviews:

The Wine Advocate: “The 2018 La Dama, vinified by Enrique Basarte and Elisa Úcar and blended and bottled by Raúl Pérez, the new owner of the project. They always look for a more delicate expression of Garnacha from selected stonier plots of old head-pruned and dry-farmed vines in the village of San Martín de Unx that are worked organically and biodynamically but are not certified. The wine is stunning, elegant and aromatic, with depth, complexity and grip. It's incredibly young and expressive and doesn't show its age at all; it has a refined nose and is quite fruit-driven and floral, with very integrated oak (like never before), supple flavours and very fine tannins. It has good ripeness and contained alcohol (13.8%) and good freshness and acidity (with a pH of 3.46 and 6.3 grams of tartaric). Drink now-2030.” 97 points

Decanter: “One of the most elegant and refined wines from northeastern Spain. From vineyards in San Martin de Unx now owned by Raul Perez, on limestone soils, this is 100% Garnacha blended from the five highest plots, up to 800m, which explains the wine’s impressive acidity. Beautiful violet notes and garrique are enveloped in perfectly integrated oak. This will age effortlessly. Drink now-2028.” 96 points

Jancis Robinson MW: “Pale ruby. A bit wilder and more gamey than the El Terroir. Really wild! But lots of fun. Drink now-2034.” 17+ points