Viña Coqueta Reserva 2018

Viña Coqueta is the Rioja Reserva from Remírez de Ganuza, named after the Coqueta estate that supplies its fruit. The blend is Tempranillo at ninety percent with Graciano and a small portion of Viura and Malvasía skins and pulp, the white component a traditional touch that lifts aromatics and freshness. The harvest is done by hand into twelve-kilo crates, and the fruit is chilled for twenty-four hours at four to six degrees before sorting, which preserves aroma and lets the cellar work with clean, cool grapes. Rioja Alavesa, on the cooler Atlantic-influenced side of the region, gives the slow ripening and bright acidity behind the wine's elegance. After fermentation on skins to set colour and structure, the wine ages twenty-three months in French oak, whose tighter grain and slow oxygen exchange refine the tannins and add measured cedar and sweet spice rather than heavy toast. The 2018 is bright garnet. The nose shows red cherry, raspberry and plum over tobacco, vanilla and a touch of leather. The palate is medium to full and refined, with silky tannin, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18C. It suits roast lamb, beef and game.