Ysios Grano a Grano 2022

Ysios is a Rioja Alavesa winery, and Grano a Grano comes from La Pedrera, a vineyard of under one hectare in Laguardia planted with old Tempranillo vines dating back to 1962. The name, meaning grape by grape, reflects the hand selection at every stage. The clay and limestone soils, threaded with ferrous sandy veins, sit at altitude in the cooler western Rioja, where old low yielding vines and cold nights concentrate the fruit while holding acidity. At 14.5 percent this is a ripe, full bodied style. The wine is aged twelve months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves polymerises the tannins into a finer texture and the wood adds vanilla, spice and a measured toast. The colour is a deep, dense red. The nose shows dark cherry and plum over vanilla, oak spice and a savoury earthiness. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, with firm ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long finish carrying leather and black pepper. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted ahead, with grilled beef, lamb or mature hard cheese.