"Magnificently matured and complex, the wine offers sweet berry notes together with toasted spice, smoky bacon, almond and earthy mushroom nuances. It is seductively expressed with gorgeous fruit ripeness as well as layers of savoury nuances and fine texture. Soothing, gratifying and hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2021" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2019

"Mellow but still pleasantly fresh, medium-bodied tempranillo with violet, raspberry, vanilla and spicy oak flavours. I'm impressed to discover a wine of this age and quality at this very affordable price. An elegant rather than blockbuster red" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Jul 2019

Bodega Navalon was originally founded at the start of the 20th Century by Don Juan Sánchez. Tempranillo grapes are sourced from small growers across the ‘Valdepenas’ region (meaning literally ‘valley of the stones’) with an average vine age of 30 years. The soils are clayey lime and there is a chalky layer which retains water to refresh the vines. Altitude helps moderate summer heat, as the climate in Valdepeñas is classic continental, with cold winters and long hot, dry summers.

Grapes are hand-harvested and after traditional winemaking the wine is aged in American oak casks for a minimum of 24 months in to create, a classic, complex, melow Gran Reserva style. After extensive tasting and analysis of the best cuvées winemaker Maria José Marchante and consultant Norrel Robertson Master of Wine selects only the finest wine for Gran Reserva. After blending and bottling the wine is allowed to develop several more in bottle to ensure it is released perfectly mature, but will the ability to drink well for years more to come.

Food Pairing: Drink with roast lamb, both slow-cooked bbq and meat dishes or aged cheese.