Milenrama Rioja Reserva

Pairs with: Roast lamb with rosemary, thick-cut pork chops, beef stew, chorizo and potato tapas, or a slab of aged Manchego cheese

Good for: Sneaking a high-end, silky, and beautifully mature Spanish red into your regular rotation without breaking the bank

Grape: 100% Tempranillo

I am from: Rioja DOCa, Spain (Sourced from 40-year-old bush vines in the rolling foothills of Rioja Oriental)

The Story: Named after the yarrow flower (milenrama in Spanish) that blankets the edges of the vineyard paths, this project is spearheaded by the talented winemaking team of sisters Ruth and Ana de Andrés. Ruth’s impressive resume includes oenology degrees across three different countries and stints in Bordeaux, which she uses to craft honest, terroir-driven wines. To earn its "Reserva" status, the hand-harvested fruit is first fermented in traditional concrete tanks, aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak casks, and then tucked away for extended bottle aging. Ruth’s philosophy is all about patience, delivering a classical, velvety Rioja experience at a price point that defies the region's usual premium tags.

Why You'll Love Me: It is soft, mellow, and wonderfully savory, striking the perfect balance between aged complexity and core fruit richness. It pours a deep garnet-red, opening with an inviting, rustic nose of dark cherries, plum preserves, and dried herbs, seamlessly layered with secondary aromas of sweet vanilla, cedar wood, and a touch of pipe tobacco. On the palate, the tannins have fully melted into a velvety texture, providing a smooth, medium-to-full body. A lively, integrated freshness keeps it vibrant, coasting into a long, warming finish accented by dark chocolate and subtle baking spices.