Alcohol: 14%
Grape(s): Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha
Location: Rioja Alavesa, Spain
Tasting Notes: LZ is a tribute to the village grape growers of the 1920s. A wine fermented in small concrete tanks with selected grapes from their organic vineyards in the village of Lanziego. With LZ, they want to keep that memory of taste alive.
An elegant red, with good focus. The silky texture is complemented by a lovely range of pureed black cherry, strawberry pate de fruit, and dried violet notes, with a savory underpinning of milled white pepper, mint, and mineral elements.
93 points, Vinous: The LZ is a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha from Lanciego, Rioja Alavesa. It displays a purple hue in the glass. The fruit-forward aromas showcase cherry and blackberry notes in a reductive profile, complemented by hints of blood and earthy tones. Dry, creamy and overwhelming, the fine, reactive tannins contribute texture to the lasting fruity finish.
Food pairing: It pairs well with Lamb chops, roasted duck breast, and mushroom risotto. With Cheese like Manchego , Garrotxa, Aged Mahón
The Domain: Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain’s brightest winemaking talents. He established Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez in 1994 to highlight notable vineyards throughout Spain planted with native grape varieties. In 1998, while working at his family winery Remelluri in Rioja Alavesa, he started to buy old vineyards around the town of Lanciego. This was the catalyst for Bodega Lanzaga.
The aim is to rediscover the ‘true’ historic taste of Rioja that he believes can only be achieved from the best sites. “We respect the capacity of generations of vine growers who observed these places and recognised their value”. Telmo is a vocal advocate for the potential of Spanish wine, believing it should sit alongside the best of Burgundy and Bordeaux.
Time spent studying and working in France led him to question Rioja’s reluctance to acknowledge a wine’s origin, vineyard, or village on the label. “Our wines are not made by winemakers, they’re made by grape growers... Once you understand your place, you know how to work.” These are pure terroir wines, representing historical vineyards in the most transparent way possible.
