Tasting notes:

Due to Navarra’s past connections with France, there is a long history of working with Bordeaux grapes in this part of Spain, and with first-rate results. One Navarran flagship producer is Arínzano, which has proved the quality attainable with Cabernet – as well as Merlot – in this northern area of Iberia. This pure Cab hails from the 2019 vintage and is just starting to show some evolution, featuring some cooked cherry and sweet balsamic notes. But the core is concentrated, inky, ripe blackcurrant, mixed with white chocolate and refreshing dry tannin – a complete, powerful and structured wine that’s a relatively affordable alternative to Bordeaux, Tuscan or Napa Cab.(Patrick Schmitt MW)