Los Hermanos Manzanos Crianza 2017

Go to any good wine bar in Rioja in northern Spain and the style everyone wants in their glass is Crianza. Why? Because it ticks every box for lovers of great Rioja. There is plenty of ripe, vibrant berry fruit and just enough oaky richness to make it perfect with traditional local dishes. And this one also has heaps of personality. It’s from fifth generation winemakers David and Victor Manzanos, who learned to make fine Rioja at their father’s knee. It is a classic Crianza, made from richly concentrated, estate grown fruit from the family’s highest vineyards and aged for 18 months in American oak, then in bottle. This beautifully balanced Crianza is just as good with simple tapas and meaty paellas as alongside rack of lamb or rabbit stew.