Paganos Rioja la Nieta 2018

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Paganos
Label Name:
 
Rioja la Nieta
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
Spain
Region:
 
Rioja (Rioja Alavesa - Finca La Nieta, Páganos/Laguardia)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Tempranillo
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
5
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Notable scores: Tim Atkin 98; Peñín 97 (2018); Wine Enthusiast 97; Vinous 95; Wine Spectator 93. Produced as a single‑parcel wine with high critical acclaim

Tasting Note
Concentrated black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry with violet, espresso, cocoa and exotic spice; mineral/flinty lift. Very structured, firm well‑integrated tannins and an extremely long, elegant finish.

Food Pairing
Roast lamb, grilled steak, braised beef, aged Manchego, hard cheeses; Asian: Korean BBQ, char siu (Cantonese roast pork), spicy Sichuan beef, yakitori, rich Japanese wagyu.

Production Method
Hand‑harvested Tempranillo; cold pre‑fermentative maceration (~5 days at ~6°C); fermented in small oak vessels with indigenous yeasts; malolactic in new French oak; aged ~16 months in new French barrels.

Vineyard Info
Single‑vineyard Finca La Nieta (≈1.75–1.78 ha) in Páganos (Laguardia), vines planted 1975 on calcareous‑clay soils. Produced by Viñedos de Páganos / Sierra Cantabria (Eguren family). Low yields, respectful viticulture.