IPSUS 2018 Magnum

Very perfumed with roses and other flowers. Spanish cedar, too. Medium-bodied with creamy and fine yet round tannins that go on for minutes. Super-fine texture. Juicy fruit. Succulent and so beautiful. Hard not to drink now. In fact, do. But it will age beautifully, too. Vineyards of 30 years or more. Drink or hold.

Already a wonderfully open nose, intense fruit, similar to the 2015 shows plum aromas and many red berries, floral notes, blossom tea, including a fascinating, stony minerality. In the beginning the wine is creamy, round, fruity and strong, no oak influence is perceptible, of course still youthful, initially a bit wilder than the older vintages, but already a grandiose drinking experience, because every element is here in its place: perfectly ripe, fine-grained Tannin, good acidity, which packs 14% alcohol wonderfully and with excellent length and red fruit aromas on the finish. A poem.

2018 saw the introduction of ceramic vessels in the winery, along with the addition of another large cask. The 16 micro-vinifications this year took place completely in stainless steel using wild yeasts, then matured for 22 months in tonneaux (80% new) and 15hl barrels. It then spent eight months in ceramic (rather than the cement used in previous vintages) before bottling. This 2018 brilliantly combines the darker fruit of 2016 with the mega-freshness of 2015, finishing it off with super-fine tannins. Creamy, earthy and chocolatey notes are lifted by a balsamic waft, overlaid with ripe, sapid red and black cherries, a touch of black tea and a long, sweet, pure cherry and wild strawberry finish. Superb.