El Principe de Laguardia 2018

Spain’s Navarra is in an exciting wine alley: the famous Rioja region is to the southwest, while France and the Pyrenees are to the northeast. Many fine reds, whites and even rosé are made here. And in 2018, Navarra’s great vintage conditions let the grapes grow even richer than normal.

Situated in the very south of Navarra, Pago de Cirsus was founded in 1997 by Spanish film producer Iñaki Núñez. He first renovated a 16th century building into a plush hotel, but eventually he built a state-of-the-art winery and planted a 137-hectare vineyard that’s now 20 years old. In 2014 Núñez sold it in 2014 to Alejandro Gómez Sigala and the winery’s upward trajectory continued.

The winemaking team behind El Principe used a “no expense spared” approach to their wine and it’s paid off. This sumptuous, full-bodied Tempranillo has scooped up a gold medal from Gilbert & Gaillard and a second gold-medal win from Concours Mondial des Vins Féminalise.

Enjoy ripe raspberry and cherry flavors with notes of cinnamon clove, thanks to a year in French (80%) and American (20%) oak. A tasty match for lamb or a bean casserole.

Next stop: your wine rack.