Grandes Lindes de Remelluri Jesusa Areta San Vicente de la Sonsierra 2020

This red comes from Remelluri, an estate in the Rioja Alavesa, and is drawn from old vines around San Vicente de la Sonsierra at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria. The blend is led by the dark, structured Graciano with Tempranillo and Mazuelo, varieties that suit the high, cool slopes here. The vines grow on poor calcareous clay soils that drain well, keep yields low and concentrate the fruit while feeding the wine's mineral grip. The Sonsierra is high and continental, and the swing between warm days and cold mountain nights ripens the grapes slowly, holding acidity and building savoury, spicy aromatics. Farming is biodynamic, which keeps the soil alive and the fruit expressive, and the wine is aged 14 months in oak barrels, ageing that softens the Graciano tannins and adds spice and structure through slow oxygen exchange. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows dark cherry and plum, black pepper, dried herbs, turned earth and leather, with a frame of oak. The palate is full bodied with bright acidity, firm tannins and a long, savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 17C and decant an hour ahead. It suits lamb, beef and mushrooms.