Marques de Caceres Reserva 2017, DOCa Rioja, Spain

90% Tempranillo, 10% other varieties. Vineyards & Yields: A selection of old vineyards originating from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. Low yields, smaller than 5,000 kg/ha. Terrain: Fundamentally clay-limestone. Plots of Rioja Alta with ferrous subsoil. Grapes harvested hand, meticulously deciding the optimal harvesting moment for each plot and each variety. Vinification: Bunches are de-stemmed of their stalks with the greatest care. Temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation. Prolonged maceration with the skins with the aim of extracting more colour, aromas and tannic structure. Malolactic fermentation in oak barrels and a stainless-steel tanks. Once the malolactic fermentation is finalised, all of the wines move to fine grain French oak barrels. Subsequent racking every 6 months. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, divided equally between new barrels and one and two-year old barrels. Tasting notes: Dark and dense ruby color. Refined and complex aroma with a touch of cherry, vanilla and soft toasted notes. Balanced in the mouth, where the silky and well defined tannins are combined with exquisite flavours to reveal a pleasant fullness.