Terramagna Rayen Black Edition Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2017

Terramagna’s 2017 Rayen Black Edition Vino de la Tierra de Castilla captivates the eye as the cork exits the bottle and the wine splashes joyfully into a glass, exhibiting a saturated purple robe. Once in the glass, ripe black fruits mixed with incense and balsamic notes greet the nose. In the mouth, concentrated blackberry, plum, and anise flavors with a touch of vanilla caress the palate. Concentrated and expansive, yet quite smooth and with nary an edge, the 2017 Rayen Black Edition provides ample testimony to the glory of Tempranillo and other prime grape varieties throughout ancient Castilla. An artful, tasty blend of equal parts Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Garnacha, the 2017 Rayen Black Edition provides fine drinking. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest affording it at least 15 minutes of aeration before serving at cool room temperature (60°-64° F). Anticipated maturity: 2022-2025. Enjoy!

Terramagna’s 2017 Rayen Black Edition Vino de la Tierra de Castilla offers superb companionship to a variety of poultry, pasta, and meat dishes. Lamb and pork dishes are traditional favorites in Castilla and throughout Spain. Lamb stew with carrots, potatoes, and assorted other root vegetables makes an especially tasty accompaniment to the 2017 Rayen Black Edition. A big juicy steak also gets our nod. Penne pasta, served with a heady white bean sauce that is made with plenty of onion, garlic, red pepper, celery, and grated hard cheese, offers another tasty pairing. Spicy paella dishes, mushroom and vegetable risottos, and cured meats such as Spain’s succulent Jamón Serrano or their more readily available Italian cousins in the forms of pepperoni, prosciutto, and salami make excellent companions. too. Chicken Cacciatore served with roasted Brussels sprouts and pancetta provides another winning combination. One can easily enjoy the 2017 Rayen Black Edition with pulled pork barbecue served with a spicy homemade slaw and roasted green beans with caramelized onions, while others may prefer a spicy homemade Orzo salad made with roasted chicken or quail, spinach, red pepper, and Spanish olive oil. The 2017 Rayen Black Edition also pairs beautifully with the myriad of flavorful cow and sheep’s milk cheeses that proliferate throughout Spain. Buen Provecho!

Rayen was born in the heart of Spain’s Castilla La Mancha in vineyards surrounded by wildflowers and the natural flora of this most renowned Spanish province. Rayen, meaning wild flower in the Mapuche language, fashions several wines, including the winery’s signature offering and this month’s feature, Black Edition, a tasty blend of Tempranillo, Syrah, Garnacha, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rayen also crafts three distinct varietal wines from Spain’s most important indigenous grape varieties, Garnacha, Monastrell and Tempranillo, as well as a tasty Sauvignon Blanc. Rayen’s vineyards cover more than 700 acres, all at varying altitudes, to assure the ideal climate and terroir for each of the winery’s varietals. All Rayen wines are made in Castilla La Mancha by Terramagna who specializes in producing terroir-driven wines from prime vineyards throughout Spain.