Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja, Haro, Spain, 2016 

Grape varieties, a blend of Tempranillo 70%, garnacha 20%, mazuelo and graciano 10%, aged for 24 months in oak and at least 12 months in the bottle. 

Black cherry red with garnet hues, aromas of red-fruit notes such as blackberries together with hints of fennel and scrubby heathland, all nicely balanced by the smoked aromas from the time spent in medium-toasted wood. Underlying hints of vanilla pod coming through with coffee notes.  

Full mouth-feel with slightly mentholated nuances and white chocolate. The vanilla reappears and those red-berry fruit aromas we found on the nose persist, with an elegant acidity which makes the aftertaste long. 

Great with veal, Iberian pork charcuterie and some types of casseroles.