Bodegas Ondarre Gran Reserva 2018 is a classic dry red from Rioja. Tempranillo leads the blend, with the traditional Mazuelo and Graciano alongside; long ageing in oak barrels and then in bottle in the winery's cellars gives the wine its noble Gran Reserva style. The bouquet is complex and evolved: ripe cherry, dried plum and blackcurrant interweave with leather, tobacco leaf, vanilla, cedar and spice. The palate is velvety, well structured and harmonious, with silky, rounded tannins, soft acidity and a very long, warming finish of spice and berries. Pairs with aged beef steaks, roast lamb with rosemary, rack of lamb and braised veal, with venison and wild boar, and with jamón ibérico and pâtés. For cheese, choose aged Manchego, Parmesan or Pecorino. Serve at 16–18 °C, decanting 45–60 minutes beforehand.