Pagos de Tahola Gran Reserva Rioja 2007

What Spain does best – rich, complex Gran Reserva Rioja from a passionate family-run cellar

This is a luscious, fine tuned Rioja from the Chavarri family, whose cellar has been up and running since 1882. Ruth Chavarri Muro is today in charge, the fifth generation of her family to take the helm. The estate's vineyards are planted at 650 metres, on excellent limestone rich soils. Averaging 50 to 60 years old, they produce tiny amounts of really concentrated fruit - all meticulously hand picked and sorted for this wine.

Aged in small French oak barriques, this fine Gran Reserva – only made in the top vintages – has aromas of cedar and liquorice with juicy cherry and plum flavours and a touch of mocha on the finish. Wonderfully silky and mellow, it's spot on with braised chicken, small game birds, lamb, or hard cheese