Roda 2009

"The 2008 Roda Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano and 4% Garnacha from head-pruned, 30-year-old vineyards fermented in French oak vats and malolactic in French barrels (40% new) where the wine stays for 16 months. At Roda, they talk about 2008 being a classical vintage, with a dry winter, but rainy spring (400 liters between May and June), and a cool summer. It was a very late, more Atlantic than Mediterranean vintage which resulted in approachable wines with good acidity. The 2008 Roda Reserva starts with notes of toasty oak and a shy, reticent nose of cherries and other red fruits, very Rioja, with a good splash of sweet spices. They only use French oak, but it smells so classical that I could have sworn there was some American oak in there, which for me is a great compliment. It is lighter than the norm for this wine, medium-bodied, with a great freshness in the palate. A great, approachable classical Rioja. Drink 2014-2022".