Altanza, Rioja Reserva Familia 2019 Vermouth 40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet

40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc that saw a long maceration (30-40 days) and 18 months in 80% new French oak

Cinsault and Mourvèdre

with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco

ageworthy Muscadets of Les Frères Couillaud in the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine region of the Loire Valley

March 2021 ‘The nose is fruity and offers good definition

Altanza, Rioja Reserva Familia 2019 Vermouth 40% Merlot and 4% CabernetBalanced aromatic expression makes this an inviting wine from the first sniff, with cherry, liquorice, black pepper, cloves and tobacco all suggested by the oak aged Tempranillo fruit. Fresh but powerful, rounded and with full flavours where the French oak influence and ripe fruit merge perfectly, this is a connoisseur's Rioja at an approachable price.