Valenciso 10 Años Después 2015

Valenciso is a Rioja producer that bottles only in vintages it considers good enough, declassifying weaker years entirely. The 2015 Tempranillo is its most serious wine, given a full decade of ageing before it reaches the market. Rioja's continental climate, sheltered by the Sierra de Cantabria, gives warm days and cool nights that ripen Tempranillo while keeping its acidity and savoury character intact. Part of the ageing takes place in cement, which holds the fruit fresh and allows slow development without oak flavour, and part in Caucasian oak barrels, whose tighter grain gives a gentle, gradual oxygen exchange that builds the mature, leathery complexity this style is known for. The long rest in tank and bottle softens the tannins and lets tertiary character emerge. The colour is a maturing ruby with a brick rim. The nose shows red berries, dried herbs, leather and tobacco over an earthy base. The palate is structured and dry, with fine tannins and a long savoury finish. Decant half an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and hard sheep's cheeses.