Beronia Rioja Reserva 05

Though Beronia have just recently created a ‘luxury’ wine labelled ‘III AC, and produce limited quantities of a Gran Reserva, it is the Reserva wine that is seen as the company’s everyday premium release. This is 89% Tempranillo, 6% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano, fermented to 13.5% then aged 18 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels. Then followed a period of two years in bottle before release. Black hued purple red in colour. This has an intense, but fine-framed bouquet of wild red fruits and lifted sweet, vanilla-infused American oak. Medium to full-bodied, this has lush, ripe dark and red berry fruit flavours laced by notes of roasted meats and toast, spices and decadent vanilla elements from the wood. Tannins are very fine and the acidity is prominent. The fruit has real depth and the palate excellent length, finishing dry. Upon breathing, the wine just gets more concentrated and rich, the darker meat and vanilla flavours intensifying. And its class shines through. It will be a great match with roasted game and aged hard cheeses over the next decade.  RC July 10

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