Gómez Cruzado Honorable 2021

Gómez Cruzado was founded in 1886 in the Estación de Haro, the railway quarter of La Rioja Alta that is home to many of the region's most traditional wineries. Honorable draws on the winery's holdings across three areas of La Rioja Alta, the Sierra Cantabria, Najerilla and Alto Najerilla, where small plots known as majuelos sit on clay-limestone and the cooler, higher western reaches of Rioja. This is a multi-variety wine led by Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuela and a little white Viura, the classic Rioja Alta recipe. The cooler climate and limestone soils give fresh, structured wines built for ageing. Eighteen months in French oak barrels resolve the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and add a measured spice and cedar frame, while the long élevage builds the savoury, leathery character that marks aged Rioja. The colour is deep ruby with a garnet edge. The nose shows red fruit and plum over tobacco, leather, vanilla and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied and structured, with firm but polished tannins, fresh acidity and a long, earthy finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant ahead. It suits roast lamb and game.