Ostatu Joven 2024

Ostatu Joven is a young red from the D.O.Ca. Rioja, built mainly on Tempranillo with the region's traditional partners. It is made by carbonic maceration, with whole bunches fermented for sixteen days at around 25 degrees before the cap is broken down and the wine is run off, stored and bottled. In carbonic maceration fermentation begins inside the intact berries in a carbon dioxide rich atmosphere, which draws colour and bright primary fruit from the skins while keeping tannins low and giving the characteristic floral, sometimes bubblegum lift of the style. The aim here is freshness rather than structure, so the wine sees no oak and is released young to show the fruit at its most vivid. Rioja's clay and limestone soils and its sheltered continental climate, moderated by the Ebro valley, give ripe but balanced grapes that suit this direct, unoaked approach. The colour is a bright violet tinged red. The nose is fresh and lifted, with red berries, cherry, a hint of banana and a floral note. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and supple, with soft tannins and crisp acidity. Serve slightly cool at 13 to 15 degrees. It suits charcuterie, roast chicken and tomato based dishes.