2021 Gran Dominio, Rioja Crianza – Liberty

The Gran Dominio wines are made with a precision that demonstrates winemaker María Barúa’s eye for detail and understanding of her home region. The Crianza is 100% Tempranillo, aged for 12 months in American oak from forests in Ohio. It has lovely aromas of juicy red cherries, a touch of spice and smooth tannins. The Reserva is predominantly Tempranillo with a touch of Mazuelo and is aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak and a further 24 months of bottle ageing before release. It displays aromas of ripe red and black fruit coupled with hints of vanilla.

The Tempranillo and Mazuelo grapes are sourced from a selection of vineyards in both the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa sub-regions. These areas are shielded from the worst of the Atlantic weather systems by the Sierra Cantabria mountains, but still benefit from some of the moderating Atlantic influence and the grapes undergo a slow and steady ripening process with warm days tempered by cool nights. The vines are 35 years old on average and yield grapes with great concentration of flavour.

The 2021 was characterised by a cold winter and a dry summer with high temperatures. The ripening and harvest periods were especially good, and the weather conditions were ideal. A dry summer delayed veraison, but a rain episode at the start of September helped the cycle to catch up, and in the end, ripening finished early. Windy days also helped maintain the grapes’ health, and the significant thermal contrast between day and night helped them ripen perfectly.

The Tempranillo and Mazuelo grapes are sourced from a selection of vineyards in both the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa sub-regions. These areas are shielded from the worst of the Atlantic weather systems by the Sierra Cantabria mountains, but still benefit from some of the moderating Atlantic influence and the grapes undergo a slow and steady ripening process with warm days tempered by cool nights. The vines are 35 years old on average and yield grapes with great concentration of flavour.

A brilliant ruby red in colour. On the nose, aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberry and cranberry combine with subtle spicy notes of vanilla and clove. The palate is well structured with ripe and velvety tannins and a refreshing acidity which carries the bright fruit and spice aromas onto the elegant finish.