Familia Martínez Bujanda Crianza Tempranillo Rioja 2018

With just the right level of oak to match the soft cherry and bramble fruit, this fine Crianza makes wonderfully easy drinking. It’s from Martínez Bujanda, one of the most innovative and influential bodegas in Rioja. Wine Spectator consistently lists them among the top 50 wineries in the world and recently described Martínez Bujanda as “one of the five best Rioja brands in the last 25 years”. They use only estate-grown fruit (rare in Rioja), giving total control over quality from grape to glass. From a vintage classified as ‘good’, the 2018 Crianza has lovely complexity thanks to a year’s ageing in oak barrels, which adds an extra layer to its elegant, red fruit. This supple wine can be enjoyed on its own or with charcuterie or tapas.