Tasting note

The 2009 Casajus NIC is the top wine, sourced from a single 1.5 hectare plot that yielded less than 2,500 kilogram per hectare (NIC, by the way, is the abbreviation of Nicolas and Catalina, Jose Alberto's children.) It is raised in new 500-liter Allier barrels over 18 months. It has a very intense nose of raspberry, fresh strawberry, maraschino and blood orange that effortlessly embraces the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte, succulent tannins, the oak playing a complementary role (in my opinion, the use of larger barrels moderating their influence.) It is struck through with outstanding acidity and wonderful minerality toward the finish. It shimmers in the mouth: so much purity you want to cry. It may be eye-wateringly expensive, but it is one of Ribera del Duero's finest wines. Drink 2014-2025. Score - 97. (Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, Feb. 2013)