Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2019

Marqués de Cáceres was founded by Enrique Forner at Cenicero in 1970, after he trained in Bordeaux and brought a more structured, French-influenced approach to Rioja. This Gran Reserva blends Tempranillo with Graciano and Garnacha from the cooler western reaches of Rioja Alta, where calcareous clay soils and Atlantic influence give moderate ripeness and the bright acidity that lets a wine age. Gran Reserva is the appellation's longest-aged red tier, made only in stronger vintages. The wine spends 24 months in oak barrels followed by three years in bottle before release, a slow ageing that converts primary fruit into tertiary character: harsh tannins soften through gentle oxidation, while time in glass develops leather, tobacco and dried fruit. At 12.5 per cent it is restrained by modern standards, which keeps it elegant. The colour is garnet with a brick rim. The nose shows stewed red fruit, plum, leather and sweet baking spice over fine wood. The palate is medium bodied, the tannins resolved and silky, with savoury length. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits roast lamb and Manchego.