Box Magnum Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Gift 2021

Marqués de Murrieta is one of the historic houses of Rioja, and this Reserva follows the traditional recipe: Tempranillo led, with Graciano, Mazuela and Garnacha in support. Rioja's calcareous clay soils and its position between Atlantic and Mediterranean influences give Tempranillo firm acidity, moderate tannin and a savoury red fruit character well suited to long ageing. Under the Reserva classification the wine is matured slowly, here twenty-two months in American oak followed by twelve months in bottle. American oak and that extended barrel time are central to the classic Rioja style: slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins while the wood adds sweet spice, vanilla and coconut, and the long ageing develops tertiary tobacco and leather notes. The colour is medium garnet with a maturing rim. The nose shows red berries and cherry over dried herbs, vanilla, tobacco and leather. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fresh acidity, fine tannin and a long, savoury, spiced finish. Served in magnum, it is a wine for a table of several. Serve it at 17 degrees in a medium glass. It suits roast lamb and red meat.