Hacienda Grimón Reserva 2021

Hacienda Grimón Reserva comes from the family winery of the same name in La Rioja, a blend of 85 per cent Tempranillo and 15 per cent Graciano. The Tempranillo gives the body and ripe red and black fruit, while the Graciano adds acidity, colour and a savoury, aromatic lift that suits long ageing. The grapes are hand-harvested in a single vineyard and twice sorted before a gentle destemming. Alcoholic fermentation runs under temperature control in 15,000-litre steel tanks, which keeps the fruit clean and bright before the wine moves to wood. It then ages 24 months in French and American oak barrels. The long barrel time and steady oxygen exchange soften the tannin and fix the colour, with the American oak lending vanilla and coconut and the French finer spice and structure. It pours deep ruby tending to garnet. The nose is ripe plum and dark cherry with leather, tobacco and sweet spice. The palate is full and structured, with savoury fruit, fresh acidity, firm but rounded tannin and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant ahead. It is a classic match for roast lamb.