El Nido - Vegan

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Jan/2024

2021 -

"Despite having very similar parameters, like 16% alcohol, the 2021 El Nido came through as fresher and more balanced than the 2020 I tasted next to it. It has a ripe and heady nose with notes of violets and very ripe fruit, spice, toast and a touch of creaminess. It's full-bodied, with density and pungent flavors that are very persistent. The quality of the tannins also feels different, more elegant here. It's still too young and it needs time. 5,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2023."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Jan/2024

2020 -

"The 2020 El Nido is faithful to the style of the house defined at the turn of the century. It's a blend of old-vine Monastrell from plants yielding no more than 600 grams of fruit per vine and younger (but already over 40 years old) Cabernet Sauvignon. It's heady, ripe and creamy, with abundant oak-related flavors and plenty of tannins. This is designed for the long haul, but the profile will be similar throughout its life. It matured in brand-new barriques for 22 months. 5,500 bottles were filled in August 2022."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Apr/2022

2019 -

"I also tasted the 2019 El Nido, produced with a similar blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell as the 2018 I tasted next to it. This wine always ferments in stainless steel with neutral yeasts and matures in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 23 months. 2019 was marked by torrential rains during the harvest (200+ liters in Jumilla) and the crop was reduced by 30%. It's a little lower in alcohol at 15.5%. Even if younger and a little creamier, I feel there is better integration of the oak (or the toasted notes from the charred wood) in this 2019 than in the 2018. It's fresher and has better balance in the XXL style of red that doesn't come through as varietal; the grapes feel very integrated, and the varietal character seems diluted in the blend. 5,500 bottles were filled in September 2021."

James Suckling, Dec/2021

2019 -

"Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, chocolate, nutmeg and dried herbs. Full-bodied, ripe and plush with firm, creamy tannins. Rich and fleshy, but the alcohol is well balanced. Polished chocolate and praline notes to close. Vegan. Drink or hold."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Mar/2021

2018 -

"Saturated violet. An expansive, spice-accented bouquet evokes cassis, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and potpourri; vanilla and woodsmoke nuances emerge with air. Juicy and deeply concentrated, offering palate-staining, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit preserve, violet pastille, licorice and mocha flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. The floral and mineral notes reverberate emphatically on an extremely long, spicy finish that features mounting tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Sept/2020

2017 -

"The 2017 El Nido was produced with a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell fermented in stainless steel with neutral yeasts and matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 23 months. This regularly hits the scale at 16% alcohol; it's a ripe, powerful and heady Mediterranean red with generous oak produced in a very specific style that will not please everyone. This is heady and ripe, super powerful with concentration and clout, but in balance. As with the Clio, I feel the integration of the oak is better than ever. Don't get me wrong, this is still generously oaked and ripe. I often describe this as an XXL red but with balance. This has all the ingredients and balance to develop nicely and for a long time in bottle. It has to be one of the finest vintages for El Nido, more Mediterranean than the 2016. 5,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2019."

Guía Peñin 2020

2016 -

James Suckling, Jul/2019

2016 -

"A big and rich wine with lots of ripe fruit and spice. A little woody with vanilla and coffee character. But shows fruit and ripe tannins. Drink now."

Guía Peñin 2020

2015 -

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Dec/2017

2015 -

"Following the style of the Clio from the same vintage, the 2015 El Nido is a powerful, ripe and concentrated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Monastrell aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 23 months. It's bottled with 16% alcohol, not a shy wine but not one that shows heat, as it keeps the balance in an XL way. It feels concentrated, powerful and young, but the oak is surprisingly more integrated than in the 2014. As it happens with many wines, this is not for everybody, as it has a marked style, but for those who like this profile, this could very well be the finest vintage of El Nido to date. It can be had with powerful food, but it should be better with a few years in bottle. 5,500 bottles were filled in September 2017."

Wine Spectator, Web Only 2018

2015 -

“This bold, modern-style red is powerful yet remains balanced, offering currant and blackberry flavors that mingle with espresso, black pepper and mineral notes. The polished texture is supported by full but well-integrated tannins and balsamic acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell. Drink now through 2025. 450 cases made.” 

Wine Spectator, Aug/2016

2013 -

"Concentrated yet balanced, this rich, modern red is dense and fleshy, with muscular tannins and balsamic acidity supporting the thick texture. Ripe and heady flavors of blackberry, kirsch, currant, anise and dark chocolate mingle. Best from 2018 through 2028. From Spain."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jan/2016

2012 -

"(raised in a combination of new French and American oak barrels for two years): Opaque purple. The highly expressive bouquet evokes black and blue fruit preserves, pipe tobacco, candied licorice, vanilla and smoky Indian spices. Lush and creamy in texture, with palate-coating cassis and cherry-vanilla flavors that are enlivened by juicy acidity and zesty minerality. The outstandingly powerful, persistent finish has echoing spiciness and a sexy blue fruit liqueur quality. This suave, deeply concentrated wine is the result of what Miguel Gil told me was "a painfully severe selection."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Sept/2009

2007 -

"(70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% monastrell) Glass-staining ruby. High-pitched, complex aromas of raspberry, blackberry, minerals, smoked meat and spices, plus a hint of gingerbread. Rich, round and very sweet; packed with black and blue fruit preserve, Asian spice, candied violet and mineral flavors. Velvety tannins add support to the expansive, palate-saturating fruit flavors. The floral and spice notes come on strong on the finish, which is strikingly fresh and very long. Offers a great combination of depth and vivacity."