Remírez de Ganuza Reserva 2017

Remírez de Ganuza Reserva is the founding wine of Bodega Remírez de Ganuza, one of the pioneering quality estates of La Rioja. It is made from Tempranillo and Graciano together with the skins of the white grapes Viura and Malvasía, grown on vines more than 60 years old, with the fruit picked by hand into 12 kilogram boxes. The old vines give low yields of concentrated, structured fruit, and including the white grape skins is a traditional Rioja technique that lifts aromatics and refines the texture. Tempranillo provides the cherry and plum core, Graciano adds acidity and colour, and the cooler northern Rioja climate keeps the wine fresh. As a Reserva, it has 24 months in French and American oak barrels followed by bottle ageing, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and builds the leather, tobacco and sweet-spice complexity that marks classic Rioja. The wine is deep dark cherry with a garnet edge, showing ripe cherry, plum, vanilla, tobacco and dried herbs on the nose. The palate is full and structured at 14 percent, with fine grained tannin, savoury depth and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb and beef.