Martínez Lacuesta Reserva 2011

Martínez Lacuesta is a century-old Haro winery, founded in 1895, with deep roots in the history of D.O.Ca. Rioja. This Reserva is made in the traditional style from Tempranillo with Mazuela and Graciano, two local grapes that add colour, acidity and aromatic lift to the blend. Haro lies in the cooler, Atlantic-influenced west of Rioja Alta, where clay-limestone soils and a long growing season give wines with fresh acidity, fine tannin and savoury red fruit rather than jammy ripeness. The wine spends twenty-six months in American oak barrels, which bring sweeter vanilla, coconut and toast and, through slow oxygen exchange across the staves, soften the tannins, while long ageing in this older 2011 vintage has carried it into a mature, secondary phase. The colour is medium ruby with a developed garnet rim. The nose moves from ripe red fruit to toasted oak, with mineral hints, dried herbs, tobacco and leather. The palate is balanced, silky and elegant, with mellow tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It is at home with roast lamb, game and aged cheese.