Fuente de Irache Crianza Navarra 2019

From Navarra vineyards predating the Crusades, on Rioja's border, this is a fabulous, silky, oak-aged red. Right in the shadow of neighbouring Rioja, Navarra is a much neglected region. But for those in the know, it "produces wines in many cases that are superior to its more famous neighbour" (The Times). This cracking Crianza is from the Irache monastery, founded centuries back by the King of Spain as a hospital to tend pilgrims on the dusty Camino de Santiago trail. The monks today have gone and instead, behind the thick walls, is an impressive winery. There, pilgrims are still revived the ancient way with a scallop shell of wine from the famous fountain. They don't, however, get the good stuff - the Fuente de Irache Crianza. That is prized by the locals and has to be purchased! Dark, smoky berry fruit with toasty oak makes this a good candidate for barbecued dishes.