Marques de Riscal 150 Aniversario 2019

Marques de Riscal, based in Elciego in the Rioja Alavesa, is one of the founding names of modern Rioja, and this 150 Aniversario bottling was created to mark the estate's long history. It is led by Tempranillo with other red varieties from the winery's own vineyards, where the grape is grown alongside Graciano and Mazuelo. Rioja Alavesa sits on limestone rich clay soils at altitude, and the cool influence off the Cantabrian mountains preserves acidity and gives the wine its freshness and ageing potential. Extended ageing defines the style: 32 months in American oak followed by three years in bottle. American oak lends a sweeter, more open aromatic of vanilla and toffee than French oak, while the long slow maturation softens tannin and develops tertiary complexity. Malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity ahead of barrel. The wine is a deep ruby moving to garnet. The nose shows ripe red fruit and plum layered with sweet vanilla, leather and tobacco, and the palate is full bodied and smooth, with resolved tannin and a long, savoury finish. Decant and serve at 17 degrees with roast and braised meats.