Fincas de Azabache Rioja Crianza 2021 Magnum 1.5L (Spain)

Description

Chocolate, Oak, Spice

“The inviting bouquet shows dark berry, olive, star anise, and nutmeg aromas, leading to a splendidly rounded palate that's juicy and fleshy. Beautifully supported by silky texture and polished tannins, offering delightful drinking. At its best: now to 2028” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“A classic Rioja & Crianza style - a wine packed with scents and flavours of the forest, bark and oak, baking spices and dark soils then fruit. Dry on the palate with plenty of dusty fine fruit tannins and lees. Flavours of dark berries and a touch of meat, chocolate and dried red flowers. Medium+ (ish) acid line and weight, dry, balanced and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2030” Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

This excellent Rioja is well balanced with a soft seductive character typical of the Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo grapes. It is made to emphasise the fruit characteristics with a subtle hint of oak gained from one year in cask and allowed to mature in bottle before release. It exhibits intense plum and cherry flavours with elements of vanilla and spice and a soft rounded palate.

70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo.

Produced by Fincas de Azabache (Est. 1956) - Spain’s largest vineyard-owning cooperative (over 900 farmer-members and 3,000+ hectares) in the Rioja Orientale at the foot of the Sierra Yerga Mountains.The driest sub region of Rioja where low rainfall, intense sunshine and a mix of pebble, clay and limestone soils produce deeply coloured, healthy grapes with naturally high ripeness and a generous 14% ABV. 

The grapes are harvested during the second fortnight of the month of September and the first week of October, when the grape reaches the optimum point of phenolic maturity. For the elaboration of this wine a selection of grapes is used, from plots of land with better quality. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature of between 25-28ºC. Automatic control of over-pumping for the extraction of aromatic and colour compounds. Aged twelve months in American and French oak barrel.

Food Pairing: It pairs beautifully with flavoursome vegetarian dishes with mushrooms, roasted poultry, grilled meats, and charcuterie.