MIguel Merino MIguel Merino Gran Reserva 2019 750ml

The 2019 Gran Reserva Miguel Merino is Tempranillo with 4% Graciano from Rioja. This aged for three years in barrels. The nose is complex, opening with fine oak and cedar layered over cherry, plum, subtle spice aromas and liqueur-like, jammy hints. Dry, full-bodied and enveloping, the tannins combine to deliver volume, juiciness and depth of flavor. Exceptionally expressive for an extensively aged red, this is a wine of precision, well-crafted in terms of grape selection, harvest timing and oak management.<br/><br/>

There are not many Gran Reserva wines produced by small growers, and the 2019 Gran Reserva from Miguel Merino is one of them. It has finesse, harmony and balance, which was his goal here. It was produced with Tempranillo and a pinch of Graciano from vines on sandy soils in the lieux-dits of Bigorta and Resaco from Briones. The grapes fermented in a 5,000-liter stainless steel tank with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for three years. This is one for the long haul in this powerful and complete year, with elegance, ripeness without excess at 14.5% alcohol and fine, silky tannins. 4,170 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2022.

An elegant red, showing depth. Expands slowly on the palate, with fragrant hints of dried thyme and cocoa powder accenting warm cherry, dried fig, tar and licorice notes. Silky in texture, this is long and fluid, with supple tannins firming the lightly spiced finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2038. 371 cases made, 100 cases imported.

A harmonious red, with a generous range of crushed black raspberry and ripe black plum fruit, plus a fragrant skein of sweet tobacco, anise, graphite and blood orange peel. Fresh and focused, with supple tannins emerging to firm the spiced finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2036. 350 cases made, 45 cases imported.