Bodegas Bhilar Phinca El Vedao 2020

Cellar for 15 years or more. Decant for up to 2 hours before serving.

El Vedao is a complex, full-bodied Garnacha, led by notes of wild plum and strawberry, with background hints of baking spice, pepper, and sun-dried herbs. The grapes were sourced from some of the oldest, most high-altitude vineyards in Rioja. In areas such as La Revilla, Terreras, and Las Naves, the vineyards range from 35 to 100 years old and grow into a mineral-rich bedrock of limestone.

Bodegas Bhilar is a small-scale winery, owned and operated by the power couple of David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman. The cellar can be found in the region of Elvillar in Rioja Alavesa, one of the finest red wine regions in Spain, famed for its high altitude. Bhilar has always been a family business, and the husband and wife duo take an uncompromising, traditional approach to their winemaking.

The winemakers’ sense of craftsmanship shines through on the palate, which is elegant and layered, with a powerful structure. Typically strong red Garnacha fruits dominate on the first sip, followed by undercurrents of garrigue, tobacco smoke, leather, vanilla, and cocoa. The tannins are fine and understated. This is a well-crafted Rioja, emblematic of the Elvillar region – consider pairing it with chorizo, roast meats, or a vegetarian stew.