Muga Aro 2021

Aro is the flagship of Bodegas Muga in Haro, Rioja Alta, a modern, powerful red built on the winery's long experience with the region's classics. It is made from Tempranillo and Graciano grown on 60 year old vines, the Graciano adding colour, acidity and a floral, peppery lift to the Tempranillo's red and dark fruit. Rioja Alta's cooler, more Atlantic influenced climate and calcareous clay soils give slow ripening, firm acidity and depth, while the old, low yielding vines concentrate flavour. The fruit is destemmed and cold macerated before a spontaneous fermentation, an approach that fixes colour and aroma ahead of fermentation. Ageing runs 18 months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange firms the tannins and folds in spice, vanilla and a fine grain. The 2021 is intense on the nose, with blackberry and bramble intertwined with violet, liquorice and toasted spice. The palate is full and concentrated, the tannins firm and the finish long. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast and grilled red meat and game.