Viña Real Bakeder 2022

Bakeder is made by Viña Real from old Tempranillo vineyards around the village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, in northern Spain, with the name taken from the Basque for beautiful peace. The vines are over thirty years old, their age limiting yields and concentrating the fruit, and they grow on the chalky clay and limestone soils of the Alavesa sub-zone, which retain moisture through the dry summer and lend the wine its fresh acid line. The continental climate, with hot days and cool nights, ripens the Tempranillo while keeping the fruit lively. The wine is aged eleven months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins, settles the colour and adds vanilla, spice and a subtle toast to the red fruit. It is deep cherry red in the glass. The nose shows ripe cherry and plum with red berries, vanilla and a touch of tobacco and leather. The palate is medium to full, with supple tannins, fresh acidity and a savoury, lightly oaked finish that marks it as classic Rioja. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits roast lamb, grilled meats and hard Spanish cheese.