2019 Coto de Imaz Rioja Gran Reserva, El Coto

• Style: Silky Gran Reserva
• Taste: Ripe plums, dried cherry, leather, earthy undertones
• Food: Roast lamb, grilled beef, aged Manchego, chorizo
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, cellaring
• Serve: 14% ABV, drink with poise

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Ripe plums and dried cherry leap first, followed by leather and earthy undertones that speak to limestone-clay soils. The palate is generously fruited but held in check by silky tannins and persistent length. At 14% alcohol, it drinks with genuine poise, neither overblown nor restrained. This is what a proper Gran Reserva should taste like.

The Winery — El Coto

Founded in 1970 in Rioja Alavesa, El Coto has grown into one of Spain's most respected producers, commanding over 730 hectares across all three Rioja DOCa sub-zones. Head winemaker César Fernandez brings rigorous attention to fruit selection and intelligent cellar work, starting with hand-picked grapes in 35-kilogram crates to preserve pristine condition. The winery emphasizes temperature control and gentle handling throughout. This 2019 comes from Cenicero in Rioja Alta, where limestone soils deliver the acidity essential to Gran Reserva ageing. After 24 months in oak and three-plus years in bottle, the wine has settled into genuine balance—concentrated fruit without over-extraction, thanks to a demanding vintage that halved the crop but intensified flavours.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve this alongside roasted lamb, grilled beef, or aged Manchego cheese; it's equally at home with chorizo and mushroom-based dishes. The wine rewards patience and offers genuine cellaring potential, sitting as a cornerstone of our Rioja selection. While Tempranillo carries this wine's backbone, a trace of Graciano adds subtle depth—one of the finest examples we've found. It sits alongside the rest of our Spain collection with genuine distinction. Vegan-friendly and built for the table or the cellar.