Castillo Labastida Tempranillo Rioja 2021

Labastida is a beautiful medieval village in Rioja Alavesa, prized for its pebbly limestone soils and patchwork of tiny vineyards. These plots are nearly all family-owned, handed down the generations and tended with great pride. Planted high – 550 metres upward – they catch the coolness of Atlantic breezes and the nearby Cantabria mountains, while large pebbles absorb the sun's heat by day and warm the vines at night. The outcome is silky, elegant wines of red fruit intensity. Castillo Labastida is the bodega behind this appealing red and Javier Cereceda is the winemaker. He trained with the renowned Telmo Rodriguez and was part of the team that created the 100-point wine, Las Beatas. This Rioja is full of young bright fruit and easy charm.