MARQUES DE RISCAL RIOJA RESERVA 2016, Spain

"Intense black-cherry color with good depth of colour and hardly any signs of evolution. Very expressive aromas on the nose with notes of liquorice, cinnamon and black pepper, with just a subtle hint of the long cask-ageing, thanks to its great complexity and ripe, concentrated fruit. Fresh and easy to drink on the palate, good backbone and lovely, polished tannins. The long, persistent finish leaves gentle balsamic reminders of the finest quality.This wine goes well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles which are not highly spiced, bean and pulse dishes, poultry, red meat, grills and roasts." - Winemaker "It’s quite something to produce 4.5 million bottles of a wine as good and reliable as this textbook Rioja Reserva. Dominated by fruit from the Rioja Alavesa villages of Elciego, Laguardia, Leza and Navaridas, with Tempranillo leading the dance, it’s floral, elegant and stylishly oaked with succulent fruit purity. 2018-24. Alcohol: 14%." - 93 points Tim Atkin (MW)