Altos De Corral Single Estate Reserva 2017

Altos de Corral Reserva comes from a single estate held by Bodegas Corral in Rioja Alta, near Navarrete, planted at more than 700 metres above sea level. That altitude is the key to the wine: the cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness while the days ripen the Tempranillo fully, giving a red that is both fresh and flavourful with naturally bright acidity. The soils are calcareous clay, which holds water through the dry summers and lends the wine its structure. After fermentation the wine spends twenty-four months in barrel to qualify as Reserva. Malolactic conversion settles the acidity, and the long oak ageing softens the tannins through steady oxygen exchange while adding vanilla, tobacco and sweet spice. The 2017 is deep ruby with a garnet edge, showing cherry and red berry fruit over leather, tobacco and dried herbs. The palate is savoury and structured, with fresh acidity, fine tannin and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant younger bottles. It suits roast lamb, beef and game.