El Garnacho Viejo de la Familia Acha 2017

El Garnacho Viejo de la Familia Acha is part of the Garnachas de España project, through which the Vintae group sets out to show what old-vine Garnacha can do in regions where it was long used for blending. This bottling comes from old vines in La Rioja, where Garnacha ripens fully in the warm continental climate to give a generous, high-alcohol red at 15.5 per cent. Low yields from old vines concentrate the fruit, while the variety's natural tendency to oxidise is managed through careful handling in the cellar. The wine spends 30 months in French oak barrels, a long ageing that builds structure, softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and layers in vanilla and spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe red fruit with spicy notes and hints of undergrowth and earth, the oak adding vanilla and a touch of liquorice. The palate is full but kept fresh and elegant, with ripe tannins and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 degrees, ideally decanted, with roast and grilled red meats.