Bodegas Roda Cirsion Rioja, Spain

In 1995, Bodegas Roda discovered that some of their vines produced grapes with a very different flavour to the ones around them. These grapes were smaller than usual but had a huge concentration and fullness. Two years later, they made their first Cirsion Rioja and realised that with a short aging, the wine reached a level of incredible silkiness and a fruit complexity out of the ordinary.

Cirsion is only made in years when right conditions combine for the oldest vines in four of Bodegas Roda’s seventeen plots. The 2018 Cirsion is 90% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano bringing fantastic freshness to the wine.

“An expressive nose of black and red cherries, blueberries, plums, vanilla and spice. Cirsion is always a structured wine and at this stage the oak is making its presence felt on the palate. But fine tannins, freshness and juicy black fruit promise more development ahead. One to keep.” 94 points, Julie Sheppard, Decanter

Perfect paired with lamb cutlets or lamb shanks, Moroccan tagines, dishes with red peppers, and Manchego cheese.