Martinez Lacuesta Gran Reserva Rioja is a beautiful wine that represents what a good wine from La Rioja should be. Fermented with a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano varieties, the end result is a pleasant, unique, and out of the box wine.
The wine promotes a medium intensity with a nice smooth tannic hit. It is quite dry interspersed with an almost playful, subtle sweetness. The balanced acidity of the wine makes it refreshing and very pleasant to drink. To the eye: a playful ruby red graces the eyes with an almost clay-like hue presenting in certain lights. On the nose: complex and elegant, this wine promotes red fruits and certain spices, such as cinnamon and vanilla. On the palate: Medium bodied with notes of balsamic, cherry, oak, and vanilla most prominent. Medium finish with nice thoughts of leather and tobacco to end.
This wonderful Rioja partners well with lighter dishes. Consider partnering this delicious wine with a nice grilled pork loin salad. Marinade the pork in salt, pepper, olive oil, and garlic. Grill until medium. Allow the pork to rest for 5 to 10 minutes and then slice generously. For the salad: romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grilled yellow and red bell peppers, Ortiz Tuna, and couscous tossed with Aceto Balsamico El Majuelo balsamic dressing, bound with dijon mustard and extra virgin olive oil.
Store your unopened bottle in a cool, dry, and dark place safe from constant vibration. Keep your bottle horizontal in a wine rack or cellar to retain the moistness of the cork. The ideal temperature for storage is between 7 to 15°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 3 to 5 days standing upright in the refrigerator.