Solagüen Reserva 2018

Solagüen Reserva comes from Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida in the Rioja Alavesa, a grower co-operative whose roots trace to Labastida winemakers reviving the Bordeaux methods documented locally in 1786. The fruit is Tempranillo from old vines on clay and limestone soils. Limestone holds water through the dry summers and keeps acidity firm, while the cool Atlantic-influenced nights of the Sierra de Cantabria slow ripening and preserve aromatic detail. The wine spends twenty-four months in American oak, a long ageing that softens tannin through slow oxygen exchange and lends the sweet vanilla and spice that mark traditional Rioja. Colour is deep ruby with a garnet rim. The nose shows ripe cherry and plum over leather, tobacco and dried herbs, the savoury development of extended barrel time. The palate is medium to full, with fine-grained tannin, integrated oak and a long, earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.