Robert Parker, tasting note published in July 24th 2020
The 2015 Penas Aladas Gran Reserva style has had very long barrel aging for a total of 54 months, including six months of malolactic fermentation. This comes from a myriad of small parcels from some of the oldest vineyards in the village of La Aguilera in the same area that gives the wine its name at 870 to 890 metres altitude. The valley receives very cold winds from the Duero river and the vineyards are surrounded by juniper pines and oak trees, making it up to three degrees lower than the rest of the village, one of the coldest places in the whole Ribera del Duero. The soils have a layer of sand which is gradually mixed with clay until about a metre deep and then there is a layer of marl and limestone a textbook soil for the vine. 2015 was a powerful vintage and there was some frost which also provided a bit more concentration. The wine has an old Ribera del Duero style with some rusticity and lots of energy and concentration of power, but with great balance. It has lots of fine tannins and lots of chalk. This should be very long lasting. 2223 bottles and 41 magnums were hand bottled unfiltered and unrefined in May 2020.
It owes its unique qualities to the genius of its terroir, as well as to the passionate work of a succession of generations. It is a remarkable wine that comes from a combination of characteristics that are only rarely found: finesse, elegance, complexity, density, intensity, length and freshness. Although its tannic concentration may be exceptional, it is rare to detect astringency.
The great vintages are distinguished by their formidable capacity to move us. The smaller vintages give pleasure to sensible enthusiasts. They offer the advantage of evolving very quickly and, after a few years, they reveal, rather than power, this subtlety which is the prerogative of the great terroirs.
Château Margaux has an extraordinary capacity to evolve. Over the years, it has developed a delicacy, an aromatic complexity and a remarkable presence on the palate.
