Amaren Selección de Viñedos 2021

Amaren Selección de Viñedos comes from Rioja and blends Tempranillo with around ten per cent Garnacha. The fruit is drawn from vines averaging 45 years old, whose low yields and deep roots concentrate flavour and bring balance. Picked by hand and carried to the winery in baskets, the grapes pass over a double selection table where the best bunches are chosen first and then the best individual berries, so only ripe, sound fruit goes into the wine. Ageing runs for twelve months in a mix of French and American oak barrels. French oak lends finer-grained tannin and subtle spice, while American oak adds a sweeter vanilla and coconut character, and the slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the tannins and adds polish. The colour is deep cherry red with a garnet rim. The nose shows ripe redcurrant and plum over vanilla, cocoa and a savoury tobacco note. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted for an hour. It pairs well with roast lamb and aged sheep's cheese.