Purple, fading to soft purple rim. Brambly fruit and spice aromas. Initially displaying youthful black cherries, blackcurrants and mulberries, still fresh and crunchy, this also shows savoury hints. With excellent weight and smooth tannins, this leaves one with the warmth and friendliness of a mature Rioja. Now-2014

Product Code: LAR405

Winemaker José Antonio Meruelo crafts one white Rioja and a range of reds, the latter all from 100% Tempranillo. Here the grapes are largely bought in fromm contracted growers nearby, with vines at about 600 metres, and the altitude brings real freshness to the wines. These are traditionally styled Riojas - but without any of the old-fashioned vices of overlong ageing in tired wood. The three top wines are all from 2005, a great vintage in Rioja, rightly classified by the authorities as “exceptional” . We don’t normally ship so many wines from one winery, but thought all these merited listing. This is a great find.