Castillo de Sajazarra Reserva 2019

Castillo de Sajazarra Reserva is a traditional Rioja from the eponymous winery, founded in 1973 when Alfonso Líbano rebuilt an old castle his family had acquired and rediscovered centuries old winemaking remains. The estate stands among 49 hectares of vineyards in Sajazarra, in one of the highest and coolest corners of Rioja, near the boundary of Rioja Alta and Alavesa. It blends Tempranillo with Garnacha and Graciano, the altitude and cool climate lengthening the growing season so the fruit keeps acidity, perfume and fine tannin. As a Reserva, the wine ages twenty four months in French and American oak barrels followed by time in bottle, the long, slow oxygen exchange of barrel ageing softening the tannins and developing the savoury, complex notes of leather, tobacco and sweet spice that mark classic Rioja. The colour shows the brick edge of maturity. The nose offers cherry and plum with leather, tobacco, vanilla and clove, while the palate is medium to full bodied, supple and savoury with red fruit and well integrated oak. The finish is long and gently spiced at 13.5 percent alcohol. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits roast lamb and game.