Izadi el Regalo Viñedo Singular 2022

Izadi el Regalo Viñedo Singular is a single-vineyard Rioja built entirely from Tempranillo grown on the El Regalo plot, planted in 1936 and registered in 1940 once the Civil War ended. The vineyard now holds Viñedo Singular status, the top tier of the DOCa Rioja quality pyramid, reserved for old plots of proven character. These old vines crop at low yields, concentrating sugar, colour and phenolics in small berries, while the continental Rioja climate and its wide day-to-night temperature swing preserve acidity and aromatic freshness through ripening. The fruit is farmed organically. The wine spends fourteen months in oak, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds a measured layer of spice and vanilla without burying the variety. The colour is a deep ruby. The nose carries ripe blackberry and plum, dried red fruit, leather, tobacco and an earthy undertone. On the palate it is structured and savoury, with firm but ripe tannins, good acidity and a long finish that returns to dark fruit and oak spice. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.