Ukan 2021

Ukan is the project of Koldo Eguren, of the youngest generation of the Eguren family, who set out to capture the landscape of Rioja Alavesa in each bottle, blending a contemporary outlook with knowledge passed down through the family. The eponymous wine is the winery's flagship, a Tempranillo drawn from a careful selection of older vineyard plots and made in limited, hands-on quantities. Rioja Alavesa sits on the cooler northern side of the region, where chalky clay limestone soils and altitude lend Tempranillo freshness, fine tannin and aromatic lift. The grape itself gives a balance of red and black fruit with the savoury, leathery development that comes with age. Ageing for around 15 months in oak barrels rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds vanilla, spice and a measure of complexity while keeping the fruit in the foreground. The wine is deep ruby, with a nose of ripe cherry, plum, tobacco and a hint of vanilla over an earthy base. The palate is full and structured at 14.5 percent, with firm, fine tannin, savoury depth and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It is built for roast and grilled red meats.