Perfume de Sonsierra 2016

Perfume de Sonsierra is a Tempranillo red from Bodegas Sonsierra, the first cooperative in La Rioja, founded in 1962, to label its wines by individual origin. The fruit comes from member vineyards on the slopes of the Sierra de Toloño above San Vicente de la Sonsierra, where poor, well-drained soils and a continental climate with cool nights slow ripening and preserve acidity in the grapes. After fermentation the wine spends sixteen months in 225-litre French oak barrels. That barrel size offers a high surface-to-wine ratio, so slow oxygen exchange softens the Tempranillo tannins while the wood contributes vanilla, toast and gentle spice. The 2016 shows a dark cherry colour with a garnet rim. The nose mixes ripe plum and red berries with tobacco, leather and a clear oak frame, and the palate is medium to full bodied, savoury and rounded, closing on firm but integrated tannins. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted for half an hour, in a large Bordeaux glass. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.