2016 Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos Crianza Rioja

As is the case with so many other great spots in Spain, Bodega Casa Juan is located opposite the village church, in the beautiful walled pueblo of Laguardia. The winery is a converted flour mill, featuring concrete tanks for fermenting and blending the wine; and for aging, barrels that are used for up to seven years. These are traditional Riojas in elaboration and spirit, though the site specificity of their Laguardia and Villabuena vineyards confers a fruit character all its own to these wines. And what fruit! This crianza is a potpouri of mixed berries, with great purity and cut that provides a lovely contrast to the spiciness and oak nuances. Casa Juan's wines are somehow spicy and very drinkable, yet structured and fresh in a way few classic Riojas are. All estate fruit, hand-harvested and carefully vinified with native yeasts, this is a hand-sewn wine with the purity, texture, and elegance to prove it.