Tasting notes:

From vineyards in municipios local to the winery: Laguardia, Los Páganos, Lapeubla, Elvillar and a few others, where the more than 35-year-old vines are goblet trained and dry-farmed, comes this fabulous example of Rioja Alavesa. Deep ruby-coloured, the wine exhibits rich black cherry and blackberry fruit and an overlay of oak, shown by tobacco, coffee and milk chocolate notes. Sweet-fruited, the palate has tangy acidity and linen-textured tannins, nicely integrated with the flavours and supporting the lengthy finish. A stylish wine that would beautifully match duck with pecan stuffing wrapped in bacon. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)