Cuentaviñas Septeno 2022

Cuentaviñas is the personal Rioja project of a younger member of the Eguren family, the line behind Sierra Cantabria and Viñedos de Páganos, drawing on a childhood spent among old vines and historic barrels. Septeno is made from Tempranillo grown on the calcareous clay soils typical of the region, where altitude and cool nights extend the growing season and hold acidity even as the fruit ripens fully. The wine ages 16 months in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange through the oak rounds the tannins and adds cedar, vanilla and baking spice that integrate into the fruit. The colour is a bright cherry red. The nose is lively, with cherry and plum lifted by grapefruit and orange peel and underscored by pepper and a touch of liquorice. The palate is medium to full bodied and savoury, with fine, polished tannins, fresh acidity and a long, spiced finish that reflects both the cool-climate fruit and the barrel ageing. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted briefly, with roast lamb, grilled beef or a mushroom dish.