Rioja that ticks all the right boxes with ripe berries, darker briary notes and hints of spicy oak all making for a plush rendition of a classic blend. Super fresh and spicy on the palate with seductive red berry and cola flavours, soft tannins and classy oak leading to very long finish.

The vast, high and dry plains of Castilla la Mancha comprise over 50% of Spain’s vineyards. The ancient soils and high altitude ensures the richly flavoured fruit maintains structure and tannin. Vineyards planted on the slopes of mountain ranges in the north and north east add a degree of elegance to the wines.

2018 was one of the biggest yields of the last decade ensuring all vignerons of the region were happy after a lack lustre 2017.Stylistically it was a good and ‘classic’ year closer to the vintages of decades ago with medium alcohol at around 13%. Harvest was later but with good acidity and excellent aromas. Harvest was prolonged due to wetter conditions earlier in the year delaying flowering and fruit set and the lower alcohols are a result of higher yields and a dry summer. The arid conditions slowed down the production of sugar in the berries.

Totally de-stemmed with a short cold soak before a long, cool fermentation with daily pump - overs to achieve optimum fruit and colour. The core of the blend was aged in stainless steel before three months maturation in seasoned French and American oak. A component of up to ten percent of de-classified Rioja (due to volume constrainers not quality) is added to the blend three months before bottling.

Food Pairing: Pair with a chunk of Manchego cheese and olives.