Bodegas Martinez Alesanco Rioja Gran Reserva is a big and powerful wine made from 73% Tempranillo, 19% Garnacha and 8% Maturana. With 3 years of aging in a combination of American and French oak, followed by a further 1680 days ageing in bottle before release, this wine is ready to go, but would age gracefully for many more years to come. The oak is predominant, but it is so attractive with sweet spice notes of vanilla and cocoa along with cedar, cigar and savoury notes. Most importantly, the fruit shines through, which is ripe and joyous with strawberry, cherry and blackcurrants notes. A long finish with freshness and touches of thyme. Super stuff!

Bodegas Martinez Alesanco is a superb family run winery located in the village of Badaran, right in the beating heart of Rioja Alta. The vineyards have been in the Martinez Alesanco family for several generations although no-one knows for sure when the family first started growing grapes or even making wine. The new modern winery was built in 1994 and since then the winery has gone from strength to strength whilst still maintaining traditional techniques and respecting the vineyards.

The winery produces a fantastic range of wines that showcase everything that is brilliant about Rioja. The core of the range is focused on Tempranillo based wines, aged traditionally in American oak, but the winery also uses French oak, Garnacha grapes and bottles single vineyard wines that highlight individual terroirs. They are the full package and even do Crianza in Magnums which everyone is excited about!