VN (96+)
The prestige of Guardiola shines bright as the 2021 Contrada (G) opens in the glass. This is dark and intense, with a vivid burst of black raspberry complicated by ashen stones, earth tones, sage and mint. It’s elegant, with velvety textures yet a lifted feel. It opens with saline minerals that saturate as tart wild berries and hints of exotic citrus swirl throughout. It’s only through the finish that the 2021’s tannic heft comes forward, aggressive and mouthcoating, yet still allowing a dense core of red fruit to linger on. The combination of primary components here is otherworldly, yet it will be many years before this comes entirely into balance. The 2021 Guardiola is not to be missed.
