Our Hands by Jesús Mendoza 2024

Our Hands by Jesus Mendoza is a young red from the D.O.Ca. Rioja, made by Remirez de Ganuza, led by Tempranillo with other red varieties. Rioja sits in a protected valley in northern Spain, where the Cantabrian range shelters the vineyards and the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates meet to give a long, even ripening season. Tempranillo carries the red fruit, fresh acidity and supple tannin that mark the region, and a fresh, fruit forward style like this leads with bright primary fruit rather than heavy oak. The wine spent 12 months in oak barrels, a measured maturation that rounds the tannin and adds a light spice while keeping the fruit in the foreground. The colour is bright ruby. The nose shows cranberry, ripe plum and red currant with a hint of sweet spice, while the palate is medium bodied and supple, with fine tannin, fresh acidity and a clean, savoury finish. It is an approachable Rioja made to drink young. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It pairs well with lamb and grilled meats.