{"product_id":"rioja-solo-mazuelo-doca-2015","title":"Rioja Solo Mazuelo DOCa 2015","description":"\u003ch4\u003eVineyard and winemaking\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eSolo Mazuelo is made entirely from Mazuelo, the Rioja name for Carignan, grown in the one-hectare La Cantera vineyard in the Sierra de Yerga. Javier Arizcuren's grandfather, Justo Casado, planted the bush vines just over 30 years ago on a plateau above 550 metres, where low-fertility sandy clay is strewn with pebbles and exposed to the cooling Cierzo wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are farmed sustainably and harvested by hand into 11kg baskets. After destemming, a short cold maceration precedes fermentation with indigenous yeasts in 500-litre stainless-steel vats, with daily punching down and pumping over. Malolactic fermentation takes place on the lees in 500-litre French and American oak casks, with total oak maturation of around ten months.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedium-deep purple-red, now showing a fine garnet line at the rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eNose\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack cherry and bramble fruit are joined by violet, dried thyme and cracked pepper, with cedar, warm stone and a subtle balsamic note emerging in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePalate\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirm and energetic rather than heavy, with tart dark fruit and Mazuelo's naturally vivid acidity at the centre. Fine-grained tannins frame notes of plum skin, savoury herbs and mineral spice, leading to a long, dry and persistent finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFood pairing\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts acidity and savoury structure suit slow-cooked lamb neck with rosemary, venison sausages and buttered lentils, ox-cheek stew, or smoky aubergine with chickpeas. Manchego is a natural Spanish match, while aged Wensleydale offers an equally convincing British alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eBackground story\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eArchitect and winemaker Javier Arizcuren created Arizcuren Bodega y Viñedos to recover the identity of the high vineyards of Quel in Rioja Oriental. Working from a compact urban winery in Logroño, he focuses on small parcels and varieties with deep local roots rather than a conventional house blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMazuelo has traditionally been valued as a supporting grape in Rioja because its acidity and tannin give blends longevity. Bottling it alone makes Solo Mazuelo an unusually clear expression of both the variety and La Cantera; production is very limited. For this mature 2015, stand the bottle upright before opening and taste before deciding whether gentle decanting is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arizcuren Bodega y Viñedos","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":7849068101692,"sku":"ARIZMAZ15","price":32.35,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/1984\/8252\/files\/arizcuren-rioja-solo-mazuelo-2015-0-standardised-600x960.png?v=1791377553","url":"https:\/\/sommelierschoice.co.uk\/products\/rioja-solo-mazuelo-doca-2015","provider":"Sommelier's Choice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}