Viña Bujanda Reserva 2018

Viña Bujanda farms 120 hectares spread across the Rioja Alavesa and the Rioja Alta, where varied soils give the wine structure and depth. This Reserva is made from Tempranillo grown on vines between 30 and 60 years old, the age at which the variety reaches its fullest expression, with lower yields and concentrated fruit. After fermentation the wine ages for around 20 months in American and French oak barrels, a long maturation that softens the tannins and adds the spice and vanilla of barrel ageing while slow oxygen exchange through the wood builds the savoury, evolved character of a classic Rioja. The American oak in particular lends coconut and sweet spice, while the French oak brings finer grained tannin. The wine is deep ruby with a garnet edge, showing ripe plum and blackberry on the nose alongside tobacco, leather and clove. The palate is medium to full bodied, smooth and balanced, with fine tannins and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It is a natural match for roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.