Cuevas de Lecea 2021 – Rioja Alta Red Wine

Cuevas de Lecea 2021 is a structured, age-worthy red wine from the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja, produced by the family-owned Bodegas Lecea in San Asensio, Rioja Alta. Limited to just 3,500 bottles, this release is the fruit of a centuries-old winemaking tradition — the Lecea family has been cultivating vines on this hillside since the 16th century, and their underground cellars, carved into the rock at a depth of 14 metres, maintain a year-round temperature of 13°C that defines the character of every bottle.

The blend is built on 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, sourced entirely from the estate's 30 hectares of vineyards in the Rioja Alta. Fermentation involves traditional foot-treading in ancient wooden lagares, a technique that delivers gentle extraction, preserves seed integrity and avoids harsh tannins — the result is a silkier, more polished mouthfeel than many modern press-driven wines. The wine then spends 20 months in French oak barrels followed by a further 12 months of bottle ageing in the historic cave cellars.

The bouquet is expressive and layered: ripe red fruits, warm vanilla and a subtle spiced undercurrent drawn from well-integrated French oak. On the palate, the wine opens with elegance — full-bodied yet remarkably refined, with soft, velvety tannins, a mid-palate richness and a fresh acidity that provides excellent balance. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of spice and dark fruit that speak clearly of terroir-driven winemaking at its best.

This is a food-friendly red that pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, slow-roasted lamb, game dishes and aged semi-cured cheeses. It rewards a brief decant of 30 minutes to fully open up its aromatic complexity.

Buy Cuevas de Lecea 2021 online and experience one of Rioja Alta's most characterful limited-edition reds — with European delivery available through Mercado 46.