2021 Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva, El Coto

• Style: Structured, savoury Reserva
• Taste: Ripe Tempranillo fruit, cocoa spice, velvety texture
• Food: Roast Dinners; Stews & Braises; Game & Venison; Beef & Steak; Lamb
• Occasion: Weeknight; Sunday Lunch
• Serve: 14% ABV; drink now or cellar 5 years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Cherry-garnet depth with velvety texture speaking to long oak contact and bottle maturation. Ripe Tempranillo fruit underpinned by cocoa and spice, with enough acidity and tannin to carry across the table without dominating your food. Balanced, structured, and exactly what a properly made Reserva should deliver—not showy, but seriously mature at a fair price.

The Winery — El Coto

Established in 1970, El Coto has grown into one of Rioja's most respected names. Head winemaker César Fernández oversees production across 730 hectares spanning all three Rioja DOCa sub-zones. This 2021 vintage selected the best fruit from Cenicero in Rioja Alta, where limestone-clay soils breed concentration and acidity in equal measure. Hand-picked into small crates to arrive pristine, the grapes underwent eighteen days' maceration in stainless steel, then eighteen months in American oak, followed by bottle time. The winery's modern design prioritises temperature control and gentle handling throughout, ensuring the fruit and oak work together without strain.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is the Reserva category working as it should: serious structure and maturity without pretension. Pair it with roasted lamb, aged Manchego, or game birds served with fruit garnish. At 14% ABV and vegan-friendly, it bridges weeknight comfort and Sunday lunch formality with equal ease. Explore the depth of Tempranillo here, or build your Rioja collection with confidence. This wine from Spain's finest region stands among the finest the country has to offer. Open it now, or cellar for another five years without hesitation.