Ostatu Reserva 2020

Ostatu is a family winery in Samaniego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, run today by the children of founders Doroteo and Maria. This Reserva is made from Tempranillo grown on the estate's vineyards. Rioja Alavesa lies on calcareous clay soils at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria, which shelters the vines and creates a cool, well ventilated microclimate. The poor, lime rich soils drain well and give the wine its structure and freshness, while the altitude widens the day to night temperature range and helps the fruit keep acidity as it ripens at 14.5 per cent. As a Reserva the wine is aged at least three years, with a long stay in oak barrels followed by time in bottle, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannin and develops vanilla, sweet spice, tobacco and leather alongside the fruit. The colour is deep cherry with a garnet rim. The nose offers red and dark cherry, plum, vanilla, dried herbs and tobacco. The palate is medium to full bodied, smooth and balanced, with rounded tannin and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It is classic with roast lamb and grilled meats.