Los Hermanos Manzanos Rioja Crianza 2012

Go to any good wine bar in Rioja in northern Spain and the style everyone wants in their glass is Crianza. Why? Because it ticks every box for lovers of great Rioja. There is plenty of ripe, vibrant berry fruit, but just enough oaky richness to make it perfect with traditional local dishes. And this one also has heaps of personality. It's from brothers David and Victor Manzanos, who learned to make fine Rioja at their father's knee. It is a classic Crianza, made from richly concentrated fruit from the family's highest vineyards and aged for a year in French oak barrels, then for two years in bottle. From an officially 'excellent' vintage, this versatile Crianza is just as good with simple tapas and meaty paellas as alongside rack of lamb.