Description
Arzuaga’s delicious, flagship red wine is made from a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Ribero del Duero region, north of Madrid. It’s full of flavour, with ripe red and black fruits you’d expect from the Tempranillo, helped by its location which receives plenty of sun to ripen the grapes. The notes of balsamic and roasted spices come from the 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the juicy fruit notes from the 5% Merlot as well as the 16 months it spends ageing in French and American oak barrels. Complete with a long lingering finish, this is a wine to savour and enjoy with food and friends!
Florentino Arzuaga bought the La Planta estate in 1990 and began planting wines and building the winery, and Bodegas Arzuaga has now become a leader in wine tourism in the area. It was highlighted by the New York Times as one of 52 destinations around the world to visit in 2018 and is well worth a stop if ever in the area to join one of the tastings and explore the estate, which also has a five-star hotel. The grapes used to make the Crianza are grown in the oldest part of the estate in chalky clay soil at an altitude of 911 meters above sea level, allowing for plenty of sunshine to ripen the grapes, while still maintaining freshness. At 14.5% ABV, it’s a hearty style; food recommendations are roasted red meat or game with a flavourful sauce or some soft cheese. This will keep for a few years, but is equally good now, and would benefit from decanting an hour or so before you enjoy it, to allow for the aromas to open and the tannins to soften before serving. A delicious, bold and flavourful wine from one of Spain’s most iconic wine regions, at a reasonable price tag given the starry estates in this area.
