Ramón Bilbao Mirto 2018

Ramón Bilbao Mirto comes from D.O.Ca. Rioja, made by Bodegas Ramón Bilbao on the outskirts of Haro, one of the region's most favoured areas for growing Tempranillo. Founded in 1924, the winery built its reputation on Crianza wines from 1972 onward. Mirto is a selection of the best Tempranillo from vines more than 70 years old, whose age and low yields give concentrated fruit and fine, persistent tannins. The cool influence of the Atlantic reaching into Rioja Alta helps hold acidity and aromatic freshness through ripening. The wine spends twenty-four months in French Allier oak, a tight-grained wood that gives slow, measured oxygen exchange and a fine-grained spice rather than heavy toast, building structure and adding complexity over the long ageing. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows fresh black fruit and ripe cherry, with white pepper, a herbal lift and tobacco and vanilla from the barrel. The palate is structured and refined, with firm tannins and a long, savoury finish at 14 percent alcohol. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb and grilled beef.