Beronia Ecológico 2023

Beronia Ecológico is an organic, vegan-friendly Rioja made by Beronia from Tempranillo. The winery was founded in 1973 in Ollauri, in the Rioja Alta sub-region, and works in its own long-ageing style. This bottling sits at the fresher end of that range, taking advantage of the cooler, higher Rioja Alta, where Atlantic influence and clay-limestone soils give Tempranillo good acidity and finer tannins. The grapes are farmed organically, without synthetic treatments, which suits the expression of fruit and site. The wine spends a short five months in 225-litre French oak barrels, enough to round the tannins and add a light vanilla and spice frame while keeping the wine youthful and fruit-driven rather than heavily oaked. The colour is bright cherry red with a purple rim. The nose shows fresh red berries, cherry and plum over crushed pepper and a herbal, thyme-like note. The palate is medium bodied and supple, with soft tannins, fresh acidity and a clean, savoury finish. This is an easygoing, modern Rioja. Serve at 16 degrees, with roast lamb, grilled beef or mushroom dishes.