AWARDSDecanter World Wine Awards 2022, Silver Country: Spain Region: Rioja Varietal: 100% Garnacha Tinta Vintage: 2021 colour: Rose Style: Dry Producer: Bodegas Izadi Description: The Larrosa wines are a new project from the Izadi team, created to showcase the quality of fruit from old bush vine Garnacha. The vineyards are located between 600-800m above sea level, in the village of Tudelilla in Rioja Alavesa. The vines experience warm days and cool nights, as well as Mediterranean and Atlantic influence. The wines display both a vibrancy and freshness few can rival at this price point. The grapes for this rosé were sourced from 60-year-old Garnachabush-trained vines, planted on chalky-clay soils. The vineyards sitat 790 metres above sea level, meaning the grapes benefit fromwarm days followed by cool nights and undergo a perfectlypaced, slow ripening. This allows them to accumulate greatintensity of flavour whilst retaining acidity. These old vines are lowyielding, around 5 tonnes per hectare, but the fruit that theyproduce is extremely concentrated. Harvesting is done by hand. VINIFICATION The Garnacha grapes were picked by hand at the end ofSeptember. Upon arrival at the winery they were gently pressedand underwent a short maceration (approximately 1 hour) in thepress to extract aroma and a delicate pale pink colour from theskins. After this, the must was transferred to temperature-controlledstainless steel tanks and was clarified by flotation. Once thedesired clarity was achieved, fermentation at cool temperaturesbetween 14°C and 16°C ensured that the delicate and perfumedaromas were preserved in the wine. The wine underwent a periodof ageing on its lees after fermentation to add texture to thepalate, but did not go through malolactic conversion in order toretain its vibrancy. Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour, this rosé has aromas of strawberry, raspberryand red cherries combine with notes of white peach and pear.Refreshing acidity on the palate leads to a crisp and elegantfinish. Food Matches: Casseroles / Lamb / Beef