Vivanco Brunés 2022

Vivanco makes Brunés in Briones, a village in Rioja Alta, from Tempranillo blended with Maturana, a near-forgotten local variety the region has worked to revive. The vineyards sit in Rioja's continental climate, where warm days and cool nights give ripe fruit balanced by firm natural acidity, while the clay and limestone soils lend structure. Both farming and winemaking here are organic and vegan certified. Maturana adds deep colour, dark fruit and a fresh acid line to the more familiar red-fruited Tempranillo. The wine ages for 12 months in separate containers before blending, the barrel time softening the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adding a light frame of vanilla and spice without masking the fruit. The colour is deep red. The nose shows ripe red berries and plum with black pepper, dried herbs and a touch of vanilla. The palate is fresh and balanced, with fine-grained tannins and a clean savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees with grilled and roast meats.