Roda Reserva 2022

Bodegas Roda sits above a 19th-century cellar in the Barrio de la Estación at Haro, in La Rioja Alta, and has earned a place among the region's leading modern wineries through its work in the vineyard and its research into old Tempranillo plots. The Reserva is led by Tempranillo, with smaller proportions of Garnacha and Graciano adding ripeness and acidity. Haro lies at the cool, Atlantic-influenced end of Rioja, where the longer growing season builds finely textured fruit and bright acidity. The wine ages for fourteen months in French oak barrels. Roda favours French over American wood, which gives a more restrained, savoury spice and a tighter structure, while the time in barrel resolves the tannins through gradual oxidation. The colour is an intense cherry red with ruby highlights. The nose shows ripe red fruit with plum, fine spice and a touch of tobacco and earth. The palate is structured and savoury, with firm but polished tannins and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 17 degrees, and decant if young. It suits roast lamb and beef and earthy mushroom dishes.