Tentenublo Escondite del Ardacho El Abundillano 2023

Tentenublo is the project of Roberto Oliván, a leading figure in the new wave of Rioja Alavesa winemakers, based at his family winery in Lanciego. El Abundillano is a field blend in the old Rioja tradition, mixing the red Garnacha and Tempranillo with the white grapes Malvasía and Viura, all grown and picked together. The vineyards lie at around 620 metres altitude, a height that gives a wide swing between warm days and cold nights, letting the grapes reach full ripeness, here a generous 15.5 percent, while holding acidity and aromatic freshness. Co-fermenting white grapes alongside the reds is a traditional technique that lifts the aromatics and softens the texture. The wine spends nine months in French oak barrels, a measured ageing that rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange without masking the fruit, while malolactic fermentation settles the acidity. The colour is deep red. The nose shows ripe plum, red berries and cherry, with black pepper, dried herbs, liquorice and an earthy edge. The palate is full bodied and warming, with ripe tannins and a long, savoury finish that keeps its freshness despite the ripeness. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits grilled and roast red meats and lamb.