El Mozo El Cosmonauta Paraje 601 2020

El Mozo Wines works in Lanciego, a village at the viticultural centre of Rioja Alavesa, and farms organically. This Cosmonauta Paraje 601 comes from a single site and is built mostly on Tempranillo with the white grapes Viura and Malvasía co fermented in, an old Rioja practice that brings aromatic lift and softens the colour and tannin. The cool, high vineyards of the Álava foothills sit on calcareous clay, where altitude and a wide day to night temperature swing slow ripening and preserve the acidity and perfume that mark wines from this side of the region. The wine is aged twelve months in barrel and a further twelve in bottle before release, a long settling that integrates the oak and lets the fruit knit together through slow reduction. It pours a bright ruby red, with aromas of ripe cherry and red berries over vanilla, dried herbs and a stony earthiness. The palate is medium to full bodied at 14.5 percent, with fine tannin, fresh acidity and a savoury, lingering finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits roast meats and earthy dishes.