Iron Maiden

Three bottles, all created in collaboration with the band: the Boldest Red from La Mancha in Spain, the Darkest Red from the Portuguese Douro Valley, and the Caribbean Dark Rum from Jamaica and Barbados. Two powerful red wines, then—and a rum for afterwards.

Real wines. Behind the Boldest Red is Vinícola de Castilla, one of the established wineries of the Denominación de Origen La Mancha. The Darkest Red is produced by the Van Zeller Wine Collection, a traditional house in the Douro Valley. The label is the presentation, but what is in the glass is the craftsmanship of the producers.

Most clearly with the rum: it is named after Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the epic track from the 1984 album Powerslave—sailor's yarns, the Caribbean, dark rum, it all fits together. For the wines, the names are self-explanatory: one is the bolder, the other the darker of the two.

Above all, their origin—and you can taste it. The Boldest Red comes from hot, continental central Spain: warm, spicy, round. The Darkest Red grows on steep slate soil in the Douro and is denser and tighter in structure, with noticeable texture. Both are powerful, but not interchangeable.

Deep ruby red in the glass, with black cherry and blackberry on the nose, along with dark chocolate and a hint of toasted oak. Full-bodied on the palate with round tannins, plus notes of pepper and licorice, and a long, warm finish. A red wine that wants to make an impression—and does so directly.

Dark ruby red with a violet rim. The nose brings ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, with cocoa and dark spices underneath. On the palate, dense, ripe tannins, medium acidity, and a long, slightly spicy finish—classic for powerful red wines from the Douro.

Yes. The Darkest Red from the 2023 vintage was awarded a gold medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy. Tasting there is done blind, so the label plays no role in the evaluation—the medal goes to the wine, not the name on the bottle.

A blend of rums from Jamaica and Barbados, aged in wooden barrels. It is brought to drinking strength using the Petites-Eaux method: water is added in small amounts so that the rum remains smooth and does not develop any harshness. The result is 40% ABV with dark fruit, vanilla, some wood spice, and a long finish.

The red wines should be served slightly below room temperature; the exact recommendation can be found for each wine in the data sheet on the product page. Drink the rum neat at room temperature as a digestif or on ice late in the evening. If you prefer mixing, use it for an Old Fashioned or a Dark & Stormy.

Anything that can handle power: grilled lamb, beef steak, grilled chorizo, hearty stews, or a mature Manchego. Both wines have enough structure to hold their own against roasted aromas and spice. And for a movie night with a good steak, you don't need an excuse anyway.

It is practically made for it. The bottles with the Iron Maiden artwork stand out on the shelf and appeal to two interests at once—music and good wine. If you don't know which of the three to choose: all of them together make a set that carries you through from dinner to the nightcap.