Ramón Roqueta Las Barracas Gran Reserva 2013

A historic Gran Reserva find with 7 years of patient ageing

This lavish beauty was made at Ramón Roqueta's famed bodega, one of Spain's oldest cellars. In fact, the Roquetas' winemaking history goes all the way back to the Middle Ages (1199, to be exact)! Las Barracas is named after the ancient stone huts dotting the family's vineyards (once used for sheltering vineyard workers on hot afternoons) on the family's property in Catalunya, in North Eastern Spain. It's a seductive berry-filled red with delicious spice and vanillan notes. Key to the fruit and freshness of this estate's wines is the altitude of the vineyards, which ensures hot, sunny days in summer and a big drop in temperature at night. It's mostly Tempranillo, but a portion of crunchy Cabernet was also added for extra richness and depth.