Rolland Galarreta Rioja 2018

Rolland Galarreta make this single-variety Tempranillo in D.O.Ca. Rioja, from 540 hectares owned by Bodegas Labastida at altitudes between 450 and 750 metres. The high-elevation vineyards in the Rioja Alavesa give cool nights and a wide diurnal range that slow ripening and preserve acidity, lending the wine freshness and definition alongside ripe fruit. After harvest the grapes are sorted by machine, destemmed and tanked, then the cap is submerged during fermentation to extract colour and tannin gently. The wine is aged for 10 months in American oak, which gives more pronounced sweet spice than French oak, adding vanilla, coconut and toast to the Tempranillo fruit while slow oxygen exchange softens the tannin. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows red cherry and plum over vanilla, tobacco and a touch of earth. The palate is medium to full bodied and savoury, with ripe fruit, supple tannin from the American oak and a long, spiced finish in the classic Rioja mould. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged hard cheese.