Granja Remelluri, Remelluri Gran Reserva 2016, Rioja, Spain

Remelluri is one of Rioja's iconic producers. Now run by Telmo Rodriguez, Rioja's greatest ambassador and one of Spain's greatest winemakers, the bodega's vineyards all lie together in one space in Rioja Alavesa, tucked up against the Sierra Cantabria. Traditionally they also bought grapes from two neighbouring villages, Labastida and San Vicente, and these were used in the main blend but now these grapes are made into separate blends.

La Granja de Remelluri is only produced in the best vintages, with fruit taken from their best plots located in three valleys surrounding the winery. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small wooden tubs before aging in French oak barrels of differing volumes and age for 26 months. Once bottled they remain in the winery until the total aging period reaches a minimum of seven years.

This is a true banger - Expressive aromas of dark cherries and plums, liquorice, vanilla and cedar. It's full bodied yet elegant with a significant but rounded tannic structure and a wealth of concentration and complexity. 

Producer - Remelluri
Country - Spain
Region - Rioja    
Sub-Region - Alavesa
Variety / Blend - Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Organic / Biodynamic