Granja Gran Reserva Rioja 2012 (Remelluri)

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for an hour or more before serving. This is a fresh and powerful Gran Reserva Rioja, crafted from a mixture of Tempranillo and Garnacha. It has a savoury nose of dried mountain herbs, succulent wild berries and dusty oak tannins. The town of origin, Labastida, is home to some of the highest-elevation vineyards in Rioja, imparting strong acidity and an intense character to the wine. The modern origins of the Remelluri estate date back to 1967, when Jaime Rodríguez Salís purchased a wine-making site among the peaks of Sierra de Toloño, abandoned aby Hieronymite monks centuries previously. It was the first estate of the modern Rioja era to release a single-vineyard wine and has since become a beacon of individuality in Spain’s greatest wine region. Since 2009, the estate has been in the hands of Jaime’s children, Telmo and Amaia. On the palate, you can find grippy tannins, a strong oak influence and a clear, lively vein of acidity. Notes of raspberry and black jerry jam mingle with rosemary, thyme and clear minerality. The finish is long and pleasant, with subtle hints of violet. It can easily age for a couple of decades, developing intriguing tertiary notes. For gastronomic pairings, consider enjoying this unique Rioja with chorizo, lamb, or roasted red peppers.