In Rioja, patience is a virtue. The wines are aged for years before they’re even bottled – and the real greats can go on and on for years just getting better and better. That is, if you can manage to wait that long to drink them. This delicious Gran Reserva is a case in point. To begin with, it was aged for twenty-eight months in oak barrels, then another three years in bottle before it was even released. And it’s been mellowing and maturing since then for another four years to give you the very best of that classic Gran Reserva character. The whole process transforms the bright, fresh fruit of young wine into something savoury, dried fruity and spicey like the richest dark chocolate. It’s a very grown-up wine. Smooth. Velvety. An absolute dream with simply prepared roast game birds.