# Altos de Tamaron Gran Reserva (2015)

- **Producer:** Pagos Del Rey
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo
- **Region:** Castilla y León, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €21
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 17–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, black pepper, vanilla, cloves, cedar, prune, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Altos de Tamaron Gran Reserva 2015 is a distinguished red wine from Pagos Del Rey, a producer under the Felix Solis Avantis umbrella. Hailing from the prestigious Ribera del Duero appellation in Castilla y León, Spain, this wine embodies the region's commitment to quality Tempranillo. The 2015 vintage, while presenting challenges, ultimately yielded successful wines that are both approachable now and suitable for further cellaring. This particular vintage has garnered significant acclaim, receiving multiple Gold awards in 2024, including at MUNDUS VINI, Concurso Bacchus, and Berlin Wine Trophy, underscoring its exceptional quality and recognition on the international stage.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from 40-year-old Tempranillo vines, yielding only 4-5 small clusters per vine for concentrated flavor.
- Aged for a remarkable 24 months in oak barrels, then an additional 3 years in bottle, exceeding Gran Reserva requirements.
- The 2015 vintage earned three Gold medals in 2024, including at MUNDUS VINI and Concurso Bacchus.
- Pagos del Rey, the producer, is part of the larger Felix Solis Avantis group, a major Spanish wine company.

## Food pairing

The robust structure, pronounced tannins, and savory complexity of this Gran Reserva Tempranillo demand equally rich and flavorful dishes. Its dark fruit, spice, and tertiary notes beautifully complement slow-cooked meats, game, and aged cheeses, where the fat and protein soften the tannins, and the dish's intensity matches the wine's depth. The wine's acidity also helps cut through richness, creating a harmonious balance.

## Wine making process

The winemaking journey for Altos de Tamaron Gran Reserva begins in vineyards featuring 40-year-old Tempranillo vines, meticulously managed to yield a maximum of 4 to 5 small, loose clusters per vine. Grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand to ensure optimal quality. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 26-28°C, followed by a 10-day maceration period designed to extract intense color and refined tannins. The wine then undergoes an extensive aging regimen, spending 24 months maturing in a combination of French and American oak barrels, which imparts complexity and structure. This is followed by a further 3 years of bottle aging, allowing the wine to integrate its flavors and develop its characteristic Gran Reserva elegance before release.