Coto de Imaz Reserva 2021

Coto de Imaz Reserva is a single variety Tempranillo from El Coto de Rioja, one of the larger and longer established names in the region. Tempranillo is the backbone grape of Rioja, valued for its red fruit, moderate acidity and affinity with oak ageing. The wine follows the traditional Reserva path: eighteen months in American oak barrels followed by a further twenty months resting in bottle before release. American oak gives Rioja its recognisable signature, lending coconut, vanilla and dill alongside the slow softening of tannins through gentle oxygen exchange, while the long bottle ageing allows the primary fruit to settle into more savoury, tertiary character. The colour is deep cherry with a garnet rim that signals its time in the cellar. The nose shows red plum and red berry fruit over vanilla, sweet spice, tobacco and dried herbs, with leather emerging as it opens. The palate is medium to full bodied, smooth and rounded, the tannins resolved and the finish gently spiced. This is Rioja in its classic, food friendly register. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted. It is at home with roast lamb and grilled red meat.