La Cantera Reserva 2016

La Cantera is so reassuringly smooth and welcoming that each new vintage release is like the return of an old friend. Well, it is made by one of our greatest friends in Spain, Javier Domeque. He’s been making this gloriously mature treasure exclusively for us for nearly 20 years, and only ever ships La Cantera when it’s been aged to smooth, mellow perfection. Javier works under the radar in Cariñena, where wine has been made for 2,000 years. But the region is overlooked in favour of world famous neighbour Rioja, so you enjoy absolutely superb value for money here (and, in the case of La Cantera, Rioja style quality). This is made from old vine Garnacha and has rich, deep red berry flavours softened by years in barrel and bottle. A classic.