Wow! A fruit-packed nose with flavours of dark plums, black cherry and fresh figs. This is balanced by creamy oak notes and Christmas spices. On the palate the 2019 is approachable now with a huge amount of richness and tannin, but a rounded mouthfeel shows this wine is perfectly in its drinking window. However, the immense concentration on display and elegance from the bright acidity suggests this wine will develop for at least another 10 years in bottle. This characterful red will stand up too many richly flavoured meat and vegetable dishes, including pan-fried venison in a redcurrant sauce.
This ‘field blend’ is produced from the fruit of Gomez Cruzado’s oldest vineyards (over 50-year-old vines) – south-east facing, in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria. The vines planted here are predominantly Tempranillo, but also Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuela and Viura. Soils are poor, chalky clay and white in colour, with slabs of calcareous rock beneath. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new oak barriques with weekly batonnage, followed by 18 months maturation in new French, thin-grained, oak barriques.
- Country: Spain
- Region: Rioja
- Wine Type: Red
- Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha
- ABV: 14.5%
- Size: 75cl
