Lan D-12 Crianza 2022

Intense cherry red in colour. On the nose, aromas of ripe red liqueur-like fruit and dairy dominate over a background of toffee, vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa. On the palate, velvety tannins envelop toasty notes with a sweeter liquorice finish.

The 2022 vintage was marked by one of the hottest years in the history of La Rioja, with periods of intense heatwaves and exceptionally dry conditions that even impacted air quality. Vineyard development occurred earlier than usual, yet progressed evenly and positively throughout the season. Grape ripening and harvest took place ahead of the average calendar under excellent sanitary conditions. The 2022 vintage stands out as a remarkable and memorable year.

The ‘D-12’ Crianza is a nod to the Rioja tradition of winemakers choosing the best wines to keep for themselves. In Bodegas Lan’s case, this was always the wine in the ‘D-12’ tank. Each harvest, the most promising Tempranillo parcel, is singled out and destined for ‘D-12’. Micro-oxygenation and lees stirring take place to give volume and stabilise the aromatic compounds of the Tempranillo, balance the tanning and display a silky mouthfeel. The wine was aged for roughly 12 months in a mix of new American oak barrels and in new French oak barrels. The final blend was then assembled and the wine was aged for just under one year in bottle before release.