Viña Albina Gran Reserva 2017

Viña Albina Gran Reserva is made by Bodegas Riojanas in Cenicero, in the heart of D.O.Ca. Rioja, from Tempranillo with Mazuelo and Graciano. The harvest is deliberately late to ripen the grapes fully, giving the wine flesh and depth. Fermentation takes place in new American oak, and the wine then spends four months on its lees with daily bâtonnage, stirring the spent yeast to add texture and roundness before its long ageing. It is aged thirty months in American oak, the extended élevage of a traditional Gran Reserva, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and builds mature, savoury complexity while the American oak lends its characteristic vanilla and sweet spice. Expect a garnet colour with age and a nose of mature red fruit, vanilla, leather, dried herbs and a gentle spice. The palate is elegant and fine-grained, the long ageing giving smooth, resolved tannins, fresh acidity and a savoury, lingering finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted to open it up. Good with roast lamb, grilled beef, game and mature cheese.