Viña Real Reserva 2019

Viña Real, a member of the CVNE group, makes this Reserva at its winery atop the Cerro de la Mesa in Rioja Alavesa. The blend is around 90% Tempranillo with Mazuelo, Garnacha and Graciano, grown on the calcareous clay soils of the Alavesa, which retain water through the dry summer and help Tempranillo ripen while holding acidity. The hilltop site and a continental climate tempered by Atlantic air give cold nights that preserve freshness and aroma. After a cold maceration to draw out colour and fruit, the wine ferments in temperature-controlled stainless steel, then ages 22 months in oak with a manual racking every four months. The regular racking and long barrel time allow slow, even oxygen exchange that softens the tannins and develops tertiary tobacco, leather and earth alongside the fruit. It pours a mature red with garnet edges. The nose shows ripe red fruit, damp earth, tobacco and sweet spice. The palate is medium to full bodied, balanced and fresh, with fine grained tannins and a long, savoury finish in the classic Rioja Reserva style. Serve at 17 degrees and decant briefly. It suits roast lamb and game.