Viña Pomal, famously associated with Winston Churchill as his reputed bodega of choice, offers its 106 Barricas Rioja Reserva 2019 as a limited edition tribute. The name ‘106’ pays homage, originally in 2010, to the 106th anniversary of the winery’s first harvest in 1904, with only 50,000 bottles produced for this exclusive edition.
The wine is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, offering a deep and complex profile. Aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrels, it has a bold 14.5% ABV. Viña Pomal’s vineyards are located around Haro, influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean climates, which help develop the wine’s strong and expressive aromas.
However, this 2019 vintage can initially appear somewhat shy, requiring time to breathe, outside the bottle, at least half an hour before revealing its full potential. With patience, you’ll coax out the expressive aromas of dark fruit, underpinned by hints of chocolate and toffee. On the palate, the dark fruit flavours dominate, followed by a burnt caramel middle taste and a slight floral, long finish, which adds an different touch.
Priced at £12.99 for a mix of six bottles, this is a new wine is exclusively available from Majestic.