# Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja Alta (2016)

- **Producer:** Bodegas Miguel Merino
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, red cherry, liquorice, black cherry, vanilla, cloves, cedar, chocolate, smoke, dried fruit, wet leaves, earth, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja Alta 2016 is a red wine from the DOCa Rioja appellation, specifically from the Rioja Alta region in Spain. Produced by Bodegas Miguel Merino, a family-owned boutique winery founded in 1990, the wine is a blend of classic Rioja red grape varieties, typically including Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. The winery emphasizes meticulous vineyard work, with all tasks performed by hand, and a philosophy of minimal intervention in winemaking. As a Gran Reserva, it undergoes extensive aging according to strict Rioja regulations, a process designed to develop complexity and longevity.

## Interesting facts

- Family-run boutique winery with a focus on quality over quantity.
- All vineyard work is done by hand, with no machines, herbicides, or pesticides.
- Gran Reserva status requires a minimum of five years aging, with at least two in oak and two in bottle.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and structured tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of proteins like lamb and beef, while its complexity can stand up to robust flavors. The wine's potential for savory and earthy notes can echo ingredients like mushrooms and herbs.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Bodegas Miguel Merino emphasizes a hands-off approach, allowing the quality of the meticulously selected grapes to define the wine. Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted with extreme care. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes extensive aging as required for a Gran Reserva, with a minimum of two years in oak barrels and two years in bottle. The winery utilizes a combination of American and French oak for aging, contributing to the wine's structure and complexity. This extended maturation period is crucial for developing the characteristic depth and finesse of a Gran Reserva Rioja.