Fincas de Ganuza Reserva 2018

Fincas de Ganuza Reserva is made by Remírez de Ganuza in the centre of Samaniego, in the Rioja Alavesa. The blend is around 90 percent Tempranillo with 10 percent Graciano, the latter adding colour, acidity and a peppery lift. The grapes come from old vines of 25 to 40 years, picked by hand into 12 kilo boxes, then held in cold storage at 4 to 6 degrees before a careful cluster selection. The calcareous clay soils of the Alavesa retain water through the dry summers and hold the wine's freshness, while the cool nights preserve aromatic detail. The wine is aged 25 months in French and American oak, a long élevage that builds its leathery, savoury complexity as oxygen passes slowly through the barrels and the tannins polymerise and settle. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, plum, leather, tobacco and sweet clove. On the palate it is full bodied and structured, with firm but ripe tannins, bright acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. Good with roast beef, lamb and game.