I came across this wine while dining at South Hill Park. The Spanish Tempranillo caught my eye on the menu and I was intrigued to see it wasn’t labelled as a Rioja. I wondered whether it might be from Ribera del Duero instead. While I waited for it to arrive, I did a quick Internet search and discovered it came from Navarra.
The Ochoa family has been making wine since 1845. Today, the sixth generation is at the helm, with Javier Ochoa having passed the reins to his two daughters, Adriana and Beatriz. Their 145 acres of vineyards and olive orchards are tended in line with European organic certification standards. This particular wine is made entirely from Tempranillo, with an alcohol content of 13%. I didn’t catch the vintage, but it’s likely to be a 2023.
The name ‘Calendas’ refers to the Roman calendar, which begins when the vine first starts to bud and sets the rhythm for the growing season ahead. There’s a gentle aroma of violets to begin with. On the tongue, it brings raspberries and redcurrants. The tannins are present and reasonably firm, which felt surprisingly adventurous for a wine served in a hospitality setting. On its own it might have been a touch assertive, but once the roast beef meal arrived it softened and found its place nicely.
It was refreshing to see something a little less expected on the list, though there were plenty of more recognisable options for those who prefer to stick to the familiar. I paid £7.85 for a 175ml glass, with the full bottle priced at £31.
