Gran Reserva Janus, Tinto Pesquera 2018 75cl
Janus is Alejandro Fernández's crown jewel, made only in the finest vintages from the oldest vines at Tinto Pesquera. The 2018 is a Gran Reserva of real gravity, the kind of Ribera del Duero that reminds you why this region climbed to sit alongside Rioja at the top of Spanish red wine.
Fernández put Pesquera de Duero on the map, farming Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto Fino, on the high, sun-baked plateau of Ribera del Duero where hot days and cold nights forge deep colour and firm structure. Janus is named for the two-faced Roman god, a nod to a wine that looks both to tradition and to longevity. Long ageing in oak precedes years of bottle rest before release.
Expect a dense, brooding nose of black cherry, blackberry, cured leather, tobacco, cedar and sweet baking spice. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in firm, ripe tannins and a savoury, almost balsamic depth. There is grip and freshness here alongside the richness, and the finish is long, spiced and persistent. This is a wine built to be laid down.
At around £250 this is a serious collector's bottle, and the pedigree and rarity justify the outlay. It is approachable now with a long decant, but will reward a decade or more in the cellar. Open it for an occasion that deserves it.
How to Serve
Serve at 16–18°C in a large Bordeaux glass. Decant for at least two hours, longer if drinking young.
Where to Drink It
Barrafina in Adelaide Street knows Spanish reds intimately. Sabor near Regent Street would do it justice. Lurra in Marylebone suits the grandeur.
Food Pairings
Made for roast lamb or a Castilian suckling pig. Also superb with aged Manchego.
