El Grifo Reserva de Familia 2022

El Grifo is one of the oldest wineries in the Canary Islands, and this Reserva comes from Syrah the Otamendi Rodríguez-Bethencourt family planted 25 years ago on the black volcanic ash of Lanzarote, where it became a key plot alongside the native Listán Negro. The vines grow ungrafted in pits dug into the porous lapilli, a method that traps overnight moisture and shelters the plants from the constant trade winds, while the dark ash retains heat and the mineral-rich volcanic soil gives the wine its smoky, savoury signature. Yields are naturally low. The wine spends around twelve months in new oak barrels followed by a further twelve months in bottle, the new oak feeding slow oxygen across the staves to build structure and add vanilla and sweet spice, while the bottle ageing knits everything together before release. Expect a deep ruby red with ripe plum, dark cherry and black pepper over liquorice, smoke and a clear volcanic minerality. The palate is full and structured, with firm tannin, warm fruit and a long, smoky finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled red meat, lamb and hard cheese.