Abeica Colección de Viñedos 2023

Abeica Colección de Viñedos is made by Ricardo Fernández at his family winery in Rioja, from three old vineyards his grandfather set aside for the estate's best wine. It is a field blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and the white grape Viura, an old fashioned combination once common in Rioja that is now rare. The vines are mature and the fruit comes from a single set of plots, giving the wine a clear sense of place. Co-fermenting a white variety with the reds is a traditional technique that brightens the aromatics and lifts the colour through co-pigmentation, while the Garnacha adds red fruit and warmth to the Tempranillo backbone. Vinification and ageing take place over six months in old stone fermenting vats rather than new oak, a neutral, low intervention approach that keeps the fruit fresh and lets the vineyards speak without wood spice. The colour is bright ruby. The nose shows red berries, cherry and plum over an earthy, herb dusted base, with a peppery edge. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and savoury, with fine tannin and lively acidity. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees with roast lamb, grilled pork or mushroom dishes.