While I was a fan of the 2013 vintage of Ercavio, the 2014 is even better! With riper, more generous fruit, this vintage strikes a great balance between soft, luscious fruit, good toasty oak, and a hearty structure. This is a big, bold style of Tempranillo, that is well-composed and drinks beautifully now.

This is the most serious Tempranillo I've seen from La Mancha. It is generously dark fruited, with hints of savory, wet tobacco underlying in the background and an impressive mineral thread running through the wine. Under $10 wines are occasionally tasty, even delicious, but rarely are they delicious and as seriously put together as this wine. I was impressed by the 2013, but this 2014 ratchets up the intensity while maintaining even more balance between the fruit, tannins and wood. The Wine Advocate review states "It tastes like a much more expensive wine," I wouldn't fault someone for finding that cliché, but if Luis Gutierrez says it then this praise is truly earned. I'm very impressed.