MARQUES DE RISCAL RESERVA RIOJA 2019
TASTING NOTES
| Grape: | Tempranillo, Graciano |
| Vineyard: | Marqués de Riscal (Organic) |
| Vintage: | 2019 |
| Origin: | Rioja, Spain |
| ABV%: | 14.5% |
| Colour: | Intense black cherry red |
| Aromas: |
Very expressive aromas on the nose with notes of liquorice, cinnamon and black pepper, with just a subtle hint of the long cask-ageing, thanks to its great complexity and ripe, concentrated fruit. |
| Flavours: |
Fresh and easy to drink on the palate, good backbone and lovely, polished tannins. The long, persistent finish leaves gentle balsamic reminders of the finest quality. |
Marqués de Riscal Reserva wines are made mainly from grapes from tempranillo vines planted before the 1970s, grown in the best clay-limestone soils of the Rioja Alavesa. This variety withstands oak- and bottle ageing well thanks to its good balance of acidity and fine tannin. The Graciano variety, whose presence in the blend does not exceed 10%, provides freshness and vibrancy of colour. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature and the maceration time is never more than 12 days. Riscal reservas spend around two years in American Oak Barrels, producing a wine which corresponds to the classic Rioja style: fresh, fine, elegant and very suitable for laying down for many years. Before release for sale it spends a minimum of one year rounding off in the bottle; time enough to show how much complexity tempranillo is able to achieve.
2019 Vintage
The autumn was warm and practically without frost. The leaves were late falling from the vines so the plants were able to build up their reserves. Budburst occurred on 10 April. On 6 May there was a light frost which had scarcely any effect on the estate vineyards. Damage was more significant in certain areas within the Leza jurisdiction. Flowering began on 2 June in the zone on the banks of the Ebro. Fruit setting was uneven and as a result the grapes were not tightly clustered, leaving sufficient space between the berries, a highly desirable feature as it makes it harder for botrytis to develop during ripening. Véraison began on 30 July. During the first two weeks in September 34 litres of rainfall was recorded, delaying the start of the grape harvest, which began on 17 September and proceeded in dry, cool weather. The small size of the grape berries and the clusters was good for their ripening. The resulting harvest was characterised by a low pH value and high acidity, something which will help the wines’ ageing and later conservation in the bottle.
Food Pairing
This wine goes well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles which are not highly spiced, bean and pulse dishes, poultry, red meat, grills and roasts.
Awards
Guía Vinos Gourmets 2024: 95 points
Guía ABC 2024: 94 points
Guía Vivir el Vino 2024: 94 points
Guía Peñín 2024: 93 points
Wine Enthusiast 2023: 92 points
James Suckling 2023: 92 points
Mundus Vini 2023: Gold