Campillo Gran Reserva 2017

Campillo Gran Reserva is made by the Campillo winery in Rioja from a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, the latter adding colour, acidity and a savoury, herbal lift. The grapes come from low yielding vines around a hundred years old, harvested into small crates and sorted bunch by bunch, with old vine material giving deep concentration of fruit and aroma. The clay and limestone soils of Rioja hold water through the dry summer and underpin the grape's firm acidity. A Gran Reserva is the longest aged Rioja category and is held for years in oak and then in bottle before release. That extended barrel time allows slow, steady oxygen exchange that softens the tannin and builds tertiary character, while the bottle ageing develops the wine further, with malolactic fermentation rounding the texture along the way. The colour is garnet with a brick rim. The nose shows dried cherry and plum over leather, tobacco, dried herbs and sweet baking spice. The palate is medium bodied, mellow and savoury, with fine resolved tannin, bright acidity and a long, earthy finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted if you like. It is built for roast lamb and game.