Ultreia La Claudina

There is a smoky twist in the 2021 Ultreia La Claudina, a low-yielding vintage, from a plot in Valtuille on sandy soils. The grapes struggled to ripen, and the wine has a more austere profile than the wines from yesteryear, when it was a lot more exotic and exuberant but with a spicy twist that they reckon comes from the foudre used. It's from one of the oldest plots from the newer plantings in the 1980s. 1,300 bottles produced.

Tasted blind. A style full of creaminess in a wine perceived as mature and lactic. Heavy in fruit and appetising, although I think the creamy side is a bit excessive, and with obvious notes of toast and sweet spices. It balances itself on the sweet side. Terrific in texture, but the oak is dominant.