Bodegas Amézola de la Mora, Rioja Reserva 2015, Spain

About Bodegas Amézola de la Mora :  Established in the mid-19th Century, is one of Rioja’s oldest and finest wine estates. Restored in the early 1980s by brothers Iñigo and Javier Amézola, this estate is extremely unusual (for Rioja) in that it owns all of its vines. The estate encompasses 60 ha of mature vines overlooking the confluence of the Najerilla and Ebro Rivers in the heart of Rioja Alta.
Following the tragic death of their winemaker father, Iñigo’s daughters María and Cristina have guided the property, capably assisted by winemaking consultant Georges Pauli, who served previously as head enologist at Château Gruaud-Larose and other fine French estates. At the time the sisters took over the winery they were the youngest wine-producers in Rioja.
Despite their youth, their enthusiasm and high diligence to producing wines of the highest quality have since earned them huge respect amongst their peers and wine aficionados. The prestigious and influential wine critic Robert M. Parker, recently classified Rioja’s Iñigo Amézola  and Viña Amézola  as “outstanding”.

Vinification : A blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano. The grapes are hand picked into small boxes followed by a long must fermentation, fermentation in steel tank and soft pressing. 22 months in barrel (60% American oak and 40% in French Oak). Rest in bottle.

Description: Reassuringly familiar notes of worn leather and cured meat mix with gentle red berries and aromas of sweet, exotic spice. The palate has that wonderful freshness that Amézola always bring to their wines, whilst the supple tannins drift and melt on the tongue. This is a well-made and rewarding glass of traditional Rioja which is drinking rather beautifully now – but which has the structure and freshness to evolve seamlessly for at least another decade.

ABV : 14%