Bodegas Ochoa Reserva 2016, Navarra

Navarra sits next door to Rioja and costs half as much. Ten years old at twenty two pounds a bottle. PRODUCER; Bodegas Ochoa, a sixth-generation family winery in Olite, Navarra, has 160 years of winemaking history. Led by sisters Adriana (winemaker) and Beatriz (CEO), with their father Javier's guidance, they continue to set high standards in the region. Ochoa is a pioneer in Navarra, with several search projects improving the DO and introducing innovative wines. The vineyards are transitioning to full organic certification. TASTING NOTE; Rich aromas of dark cherry, plum, and subtle vanilla, with hints of tobacco and spice. On the palate, it is well-balanced, with smooth tannins and a lingering finish featuring notes of oak and black fruit. A harmonious wine with excellent ageing potential VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING; The best grapes from the finest plots come from Santa Cruz Estate, La Milla Estate, and El Bosque Estate. The grapes undergo fermentation separately. The wines are then blended and spend 18 months in 225L new French and American oak barrels, followed by an additional 5 years of bottle ageing before release. There is no stabilisation process in this wine, with minimum intervention. GRAPE VARIETIES; 60% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.