Posts titled Wine, Two, Three are quick reads that highlight key facts about one wonderful wine. Let this brief introduction inspire you to try the featured wine and explore more from that winery’s portfolio. Cheers!
"You get to know the vines better over the years and you can extract the best from each parcel."
The Winemaker: María Barúa
From an early age, María Barúa knew that winemaking was in her future. A native of Spain’s Rioja region, María's wine-loving father inspired her passion for vino. “He taught me to appreciate the great classics of Rioja. Choosing the wine that we would serve alongside Sunday lunch was a highlight of the week.” After earning degrees in chemistry and enology, María's journey led her to Bodegas LAN in 2002. She has been LAN's technical director since 2007 and is one of the few women in the region to hold the dual roles of winemaker and technical director.
The Wine: Viña Lanciano Reserva 2012, Rioja, Spain ($24)
A blend of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, and 2% Mazuelo grapes that were hand harvested from vines planted over 30 years ago. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for a total of 42 months in a combination of French oak, Russian oak, and in the bottle.
The Taste: Silky and smooth with vibrant flavors and aromas of red cherry, plum, and blackberry. Mineral and crisp with well-integrated tannins. A great match with stews, smoked & spicy dishes, meat carpaccios, and mature cheeses. An elegant expression of Rioja!
