La Nieta 2023

La Nieta is a single vineyard Tempranillo from Viñedos de Páganos, the Rioja Alavesa estate founded in 1998 by the fifth generation of the Eguren family. The wine comes from a small, dedicated plot farmed biodynamically, and that focus on one site gives it concentration and a clear sense of place. The vineyards of Rioja Alavesa sit on poor clay and limestone soils at altitude in the lee of the Sierra de Cantabria, which shelters them from the worst of the Atlantic weather. The high elevation brings a wide diurnal range, with warm days ripening the fruit fully and cold nights holding the acidity and deep colour. Yields from the old vines are low, concentrating flavour. After fermentation the wine ages eighteen months in French oak barrels, a long period in tighter-grained wood that slowly polishes the tannin through gradual oxygen exchange and adds fine spice. The colour is a deep, near-opaque purple. The nose shows blackberry, blueberry and black cherry with liquorice, dark chocolate and vanilla. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm, ripe tannin, good acidity and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It pairs with roast lamb and grilled beef.