Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva 2017

Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva is made by Bodegas Valdemar, a Rioja family winery whose winemaking tradition reaches back to 1889. The grapes come from a selection of old vines in Rioja Alavesa, with Tempranillo at around 85 percent supported by Graciano and Garnacha; Graciano lends colour and acidity, Garnacha adds red fruit and warmth. The Alavesa sits on calcareous clay soils at altitude, where cooler nights and a wide diurnal range preserve acidity and bring finesse, the foundation of a wine built for long ageing. As a Gran Reserva the wine is aged thirty months in French oak before further time in bottle. French barrels give finer, more savoury spice, while the long, slow oxygen exchange through the wood resolves tannin and develops the leather, tobacco and dried-fruit character of a mature Rioja. The colour is ruby with a garnet rim. The nose shows red cherry, plum, leather, vanilla and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is medium to full bodied and fine grained, with settled tannin and a long, gently spiced finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, with a short decant. It pairs naturally with roast lamb.