Muriel Gran Reserva Viña Viejas 2016

Bodegas Muriel, founded by the Murúa family in Elciego, produces this Gran Reserva in the Rioja Alavesa subzone of D.O.Ca. Rioja. The fruit comes from old Tempranillo vines grown on the chalky clay and limestone soils that characterise this part of the region, where calcareous bedrock holds water and moderates the vine through the dry growing season. Wide diurnal swings between warm days and cool nights slow ripening and preserve acidity in the grapes, building both colour and structure. The wine spends twenty-four months in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the tannins, fixes the deep ruby pigment and layers vanilla, sweet spice and a savoury, cedary character over the fruit. Further ageing in bottle before release rounds the texture and pushes the wine into its leather and tobacco register. Expect a deep ruby colour, a nose of ripe cherry, plum and vanilla, and a palate that adds dried herbs, cured leather and firm but resolved tannins through a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.