Bodegas Campillo Reserva Selecta 2012

2012 was a phenomenal year in Rioja if you were one of the winemakers who knew what the heck they were doing. The drought was intense, yields were scarce, and the berries tiny – resulting in super concentrated, powerful versions of Tempranillo that needed to be carefully controlled.

The inexperienced, who didn’t know how to handle that power, were like a 16 year old behind the wheel of a Bugatti– a recipe for disaster.

Not the case at Bodegas Campillo – where they realized from the outset, there was a potential masterpiece lying before them – perhaps their best in 30 years. The vineyards hug the Cantabrian Mountains and benefit from both the elevation and the cooling breezes so the grapes were fully ripened and a bit raisined but not singed.

The winemaking is distinctly non-traditional made in very modern, international – I dare say enjoyable – style. If your going to dip your toe into Spanish wine – this is a great place to start.

The wine has aromas to spare: crushed black & raspberry, vanilla, tobacco, and just a touch of smoke. The mouthfeel is distinctly fleshy – and as Wine Enthusiast noted in their review: “this is muscular … Plum, spice and berry flavors finish with power and purpose; drink through 2027.”