2016 Roda Reserva Rioja

Blackberry and bark with some black-tea undertones on the nose. The firm, fine and polished tannins are very long and very pretty and add tension and finesse to this wine. Medium body and a lovely texture. Drink or hold.

Yields were higher in 2016 than in 2017 at Roda because of the wetter spring and cooler summer, but this still has impressive concentration and balance. Spicy, sappy and smooth, it's a well-judged blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano and Garnacha with fine-grained tannins and good underlying structure.

There's a lot more depth, complexity and harmony in the 2016 Roda than in the more challenging 2017 I tasted next to it. Here, the red fruit profile is more obvious and the oak feels much better integrated, plus the wine has more freshness. The palate is medium to full-bodied with fine tannins and very good balance. This was produced with Tempranillo, 9% Graciano and 6% Garnacha from 30+-year-old vines fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French barriques (50% new, 50% second use) for 14 months. 139,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2018. It's polished and approachable, more drinkable than the 2016 Roda I, but it will also age.