The Gran Reserva is all about time—at least 24 months in oak and another 36+ months aging in bottle—and the payoff is real. This is mature Rioja in full flourish: notes of dried cherry, balsamic, tobacco, clove, and a whisper of leather and earth. The palate is silky, complex, and lingers like a long goodbye. This wine is bold, meaning it can stand up big flavours, so in terms of pairing you can't go wrong with braised oxtail, duck confit, or truffled polenta.