Bodegas Lan 2021 Rioja Crianza

Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza 2021 is a classic expression of Rioja’s crianza category, combining traditional practice with thoughtful innovation. It’s predominantly Tempranillo (around 93–95%) with small portions of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Garnacha, sourced from vineyards in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa on calcareous-clay soils that give both freshness and concentration. After hand harvesting, the fruit is destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with roughly two weeks of skin contact to extract color and structure. The wine then spends around 14 months in hybrid oak barrels—using both French oak heads and American oak staves—before further bottle aging (typically about 9 months) to integrate and soften the profile. The crianza classification under Rioja’s DOCa rules ensures at least one year in oak and a total of about two years between barrel and bottle before release, yielding a wine that balances youthful fruitfulness with subtle oak influence.

Tasting Notes:
In the glass, the 2021 LAN Crianza shows an intense garnet-red color and a medium-bodied presence. The nose reveals vibrant red fruit—strawberry, raspberry and cherry—alongside floral hints and nuanced oak-derived notes of vanilla, cinnamon and spice. On the palate, the wine is fresh and well-balanced with bright acidity, silky tannins and flavors of juicy red berries framed by subtle toffee and pastry-like nuances from oak aging. The finish is lingering and satisfying, with a touch of earthy spice and smooth texture that makes this a versatile, food-friendly Rioja.