Marques de Tomares S.L. Rioja Gran Reserva DOCa 2016, 0,75 l

Gran Reserva is a Rioja for those with patience. After all, by the time a wine like this even reaches the market, it has already spent several years ageing. In the case of the Marqués de Tomares Rioja Gran Reserva 2016, it has spent 30 months in French and American oak barrels alone, followed by further ageing in the bottle.

And it is precisely this time that is evident in the wine. The blend, comprising 90 per cent Tempranillo, 7 per cent Graciano and 3 per cent Viura, displays a wonderfully classic Rioja nose: ripe fruit, subtle spice, vanilla and toasty notes, without the oak overpowering the wine.

On the palate, there’s plenty of substance. Dense and powerful, yet at the same time surprisingly fresh and elegant. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated, the acidity keeps the wine lively, and the Tempranillo fruit carries through to the long, spicy finish. It is precisely this blend of power and drinkability that, for us, defines a truly excellent, matured Rioja.

Be sure to let it breathe a little and pour it into a large glass. It then pairs brilliantly with beef, lamb or a hearty stew. And if you’re looking for a gift for someone who loves classic Spanish red wines, this is also a spot-on choice.

A Gran Reserva that shows why waiting really does pay off sometimes.