2020 Viña Lanciano Rioja Reserva, Bodegas Lan

• Style: Silky Rioja Reserva, deep crimson with purple edges
• Taste: Ripe plums, violet, cinnamon, mineral pulse, earthy leather
• Food: Roast dinners, stews, game, beef, lamb, aged cheese
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night
• Serve: Now or cellar 5+ years; 14% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Deep crimson with purple edges, this Reserva opens with ripe red and black plums layered with violet, cinnamon warmth and mineral pulse. The palate unfolds with silky texture and finely woven tannins, backed by earthy and leathery notes from extended ageing. Medium to high tannin structure carries perfect balance, supported by touches of depth and complexity.

The Winery — Bodegas Lan

Founded in 1972 and rooted in Rioja Alta, Bodegas Lan commands one of the region's most spectacular single-vineyard sites: Viña Lanciano. The name draws from the three provinces of the Rioja Designation — Logroño, Álava and Navarra. Winemaker María Barúa, technically trained in chemistry and oenology since 2002, leads a young energetic team focused on expressing the virtues of the land through modern winemaking advances. The 2020 vintage tested the cellar through spring storms and summer heatwaves, yet emerged with remarkable concentration and freshness. Hand-harvested fruit from 35-year-old vines sits at the confluence of Rioja Alta and Alavesa, where alluvial soils with pebbles ensure excellent drainage. Long fermentation in steel with extended maceration precedes 16 months in Tronçais French oak — a full 37 months in barrel and concrete before bottling — bridging classical refinement with precision.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Straightforward pairing: roasted duck, aged Manchego cheese, grilled chorizo or beef with horseradish all find their match in this wine's savoury-fruit balance. At 14% alcohol with three years' bottle age, it's ready to drink now yet will evolve for years in the cellar. If you're building a Tempranillo selection or exploring the best of Spain's wine regions, this sits alongside the rest of our Rioja offerings as an essential example of what sustained quality and thoughtful winemaking deliver.