2017 Altos R Rioja Reserva Altos de Rioja

James Suckling 90 points: Attractive black fruits and a hint of earth. Quite a traditional style, but tannic and rather silky. Not that subtle, but plenty of character. Drink now.

The grapes for this 100% Tempranillo are harvested by hand and destemmed after careful selection. After fermentation, the wine matures for 24 months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels. After maturing in the barrel, it is then aged for a further 12 months in the bottle.

Ruby red with a hint of brick, medium-dark. Refined and elegant, a beautiful mix of aromas of beeswax, fine spices and leather over a base of well-ripened berries such as cherry. Here too, the wine shows elegance and complexity with smoked oak and notes of leather on a base of refined ripe fruit aromas.

This wine goes well with game, red meat, grilled lamb and cheese.