2015 Bodegas Manzanos Gran Reserva Rioja

Dark garnet in the glass, this wine offers aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and chocolate covered mints. There is a nice note of brightness across the palate, alongside velvety tannins and flavors of fruits of the wood, milk chocolate, orange zest, violet and thyme. The sense of brightness lingers on the palate with notes of orange zest and white chocolate. (MD)

There are those wines that you know you are going to like as soon as you open the bottle, not even pouring a glass, but once that cork is pulled free from the bottle. This is one of those for me. This is not effusively aromatic, but it has that perfect combination of spice, leather, earth and fruit, like a shark in the open ocean and a drop of blood in the water, I immediately zoom in on this. For me one of the greatest pleasures of Spanish wines are Gran Reserva Riojas. The 2015 Manzanos is a terrific expression of this style. The Manzanos have been growing grapes in this region since the 1890’s. This is an old vine blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. The vineyards that source this wine are located on the Northern side of the Ebro River and in the Yerga Mountains, both in the Rioja Oriental sub region. Beyond the aromatics, where this wine shows the most charm is on the palate. There is a generosity and richness to this wine that never feels heavy. The palate is dominated by red fruits that seem to ripen and become fresher the longer the bottle is open. Those dried cherry notes on the nose are transformed into a mix of fresh cherries. The leather and the spice are present, but not overwhelming. The wine spent three years in used French and American oak barrels, the older barrels perfectly seasoned the wine. The body and fruit are driven by Tempranillo and Garnacha. The small amount of Mazuelo and Graciano freshens the wine, the acid focuses the flavors, directing them to the clean and lingering finish. I almost always say drink this wine with a meal, however this wine does not require it. This is a perfect wine to sit with and enjoy with company.