Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes...

Real Rubio Gran Reserva Rioja is a characterful wine is made from two indigenous Rioja grape varieties which are suited to ageing, whilst still preserving their individual qualities. It is matured in American oak casks for 26 months and a further 40 months in the bottle prior to release. This lengthy ageing is apparent in the intensity of the wine's ruby and brick-red hues. Soft, complex aromas dominate, with dried fruit and leather, hints of raisins, dates and dried apricots. The palate is very soft, long and smooth, but above all, elegant. Perfect for great occasions.

Tasting Notes...

Real Rubio Crianza Rioja grapes are from specially selected low-yield vines to create a quality wine suitable for ageing. Oak-cask aged for 18 months, of which twelve are French, with the remaining six months in American oak giving the final polish. The resulting above average wine, shows typical Rioja Crianza characteristics that are accentuated by the terroir of Aldeanueva de Ebro and the house style of the Real Rubio winery. The Graciano grape combined with the classic Tempranillo gives a wine with lively colours and solid acidity. On the nose, red berries mingle with the vanilla from the French-oak cask. The fulfilling palate is long and pleasing with it's fruitiness and soft acidity, harmoniously balanced by ripe tannins.

Tasting Notes...

Etxeko Patxarana is a pacharan from Spain. Pacharan is a sloe-flavoured liquor from Navarre, commonly drunk in Navarra, in the Basque Country and in the rest of Spain. It is essentially sloe gin. Pacharan is made by soaking sloe berries, collected from the blackthorn, in an anise-flavoured spirit (anisette) with a small number of coffee beans and a vanilla pod for several months. It results in a light reddish-brown sweet liquid. It is served cold or on ice as a digestif. Pacharan was essentially a home-made liquor of rural Navarra, but became popular in the late 19th century. It was commercialised in the 1950s and became very popular outside Navarra.

We say...

Pacharan is very drinkable!! A Winter warmer with a difference. Ideal for putting in your hip flask as an alternative to Brandy or Whisky. Or simply as an aperative poured over one large cube of ice. A great seasonal gift.