Señorio de Ondarre Reserva 2019

Señorío de Ondarre Reserva is a classic Rioja from Bodegas Ondarre, part of the Bodegas Olarra group. It blends Tempranillo at seventy-five per cent with Mazuelo and Garnacha, each variety harvested and fermented separately at a controlled 28 to 30 degrees so its character can be judged before blending. A maceration of sixteen to eighteen days extracts colour, tannin and the dark fruit of the Tempranillo before the wines are assembled. The blend then ages for sixteen months in French and American oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves rounds the tannins, deepens the colour and layers in vanilla, clove and a savoury toast, with the bottle time that follows knitting fruit and oak into tertiary leather and tobacco. The colour is a deep cherry-red. The nose shows ripe plum and cherry with subtle spice and a developing leathery, tobacco note. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting briefly. It is a natural partner for roast lamb and grilled red meat.