Gomez Cruzado "Crianza" Rioja 2020

This premium red blend boasts a rich, fruit-forward profile and silky smooth tannins, resulting in a complex and elegant drinking experience with great aromatic intensity and excellent freshness. Gómez Cruzado operates out of their 135-year-old cellar (founded 1886) in the Station District in Haro, the historic heart of Rioja. The bodega focuses on sustainably farmed old vine plots and indigenous varieties. This crianza blends 80% Tempranillo from vineyards in the foothills of the Cantabrias with 20% Garnacha from the Upper Najerilla (Badarán), rooted in the region's alluvial, sandstone ferrous clays. It was native fermented in stainless before one year in primarily new American barriques. Fragrant scrubby herbs are woven throughout the wild raspberry, cherry on the medium palate, with fresh, bright acidity to lift, and long, finely sticky tannins to structure. The long finish hums with crushed stones and pink peppercorn. Such a lovely finessed and pure Rioja.

Founded in 1886, Gomez Cruzado is the smallest winery in the famed “Barrio de la Estacion” or “Train Station District,” an area in the heart of Haro, where Rioja as we know it was born. Gomez Cruzado is sandwiched between some of the most famous names in the region with Lopez de Heredia less than 20 feet away, La Rioja Alta to their left and Muga to the right.