HACIENDA GRIMON, RIOJA CRIANZAA, 6 Bottle Case 75cl

Equivalent Bottle Price £13.79

Organic Wine, oak aged in French and American barrels, rich and toasty but fresh and lively. Grimon make modern style Riojas in a good way. Aromas of black fruits with black pepper and sweet spices. The palate is full bodied for a Crianza due to the quality of fruit used and longer than average age in oak. The ripe tannins and fresh acidity balance the richness of the fruit which results in an elegant and classy Rioja, a serious Crianza and great value for money.

Hacienda Grimón is run by the Oliváns, a family with a long wine making tradition in Rioja. Grimón was established by Paco Grimón who runs the bodega and his brother Eliseo who takes care of the viticulture. Their 25 hectares of vineyards are based in the Valle de Jubera, a secluded and little known corner of Rioja Alta with a great viticultural history. Viticulture is organic – “always has been here, why do I need certification..?” – with no use of herbicides and pesticides, sheep manure is used as fertiliser. Hand harvesting is employed for all their vineyards. Great care is taken to provide the healthiest grapes of the highest quality, as nearly all the wines will experience extended ageing. The wines offer a lovely balance between modern style Rioja and natural production. Although Paco uses a combination of oak for ageing including some relatively high toast American oak, the results are less overpowering wines than many other producers. They retain a freshness and acidity which balances the toasty flavours very well and make these wines a must for all Rioja lovers.