Country: Spain Region: Rioja Varietal: Tempranillo Colour: Red  Style: Dry Producer: Bodegas Coto de Imaz  Description: Bodegas El Coto (Coto de Imaz) located in Oyón (Alava) occupies a total area of ​​110,000 m2, of which more than 50,000 m2 are built. Our vineyard is located in Cenicero (Rioja Alta), near the Najerilla river, oriented to the north and made up basically of clay soils. The rest of the grapes are supplied by selected wine growers from Rioja Alavesa. All of the grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks. Currently, we vinify 23 million kg of grapes per year. We have a fleet of 78,000 barrels of American oak (80%) and French oak (20%), with a capacity of 225 litres, for the aging of our red wines. At EL COTO DE RIOJA the average lifespan of each barrel is 4.9 years from the date of manufacture. Washed and transported automatically, these barrels are kept in perfect condition. Never in its life does a barrel of Coto de Imaz EL COTO DE RIOJA touch the ground. The temperature and humidity of our premises are automatically controlled so that the aging and maturation stages, both in barrels and in bottles, take place in optimal conditions. Tasting Note: After a winter with normal temperatures and rainfall for D.O.C Rioja, high temperatures in spring and summer market his year, as well as the absence of rain at the most dangerous times for the vineyard. These factors led to very healthy vines, but the harvest was brought forward three weeks on average. As a result, this year was rated as a very good one in the area, with the only drawback of not reaching full ripeness. Therefore, the wines from this vintage are those typical from Rioja, with a slightly higher alcoholic strength and a good balance between acidity and ripening.