1978 Spain

Deep in the south of La Rioja Alta, Castillo Ygay is an impressive single block 300 hectare estate, making some of the finest wines in the region. The finest of all, from the very best sites, is made from all of the famous Rioja grape varieties (75% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 12% Mazuelo, 3% Graciano) and is aged in American oak for a rather incredible 216 months; the 1978 was bottled in late 1998. The result is, of course, monumental; balsamic notes, spice and incense on the nose, a hint of bergamot and eucalypt, then a palate which is warm, rich and incredibly long. It marries notes of leather, exotic and dried fruit and gets more and more complex in glass, indicative of sheer quality and potential to age for several decades to come.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)