MARQUES DE RISCAL GRAN RESERVA RIOJA 2018
| Grape: | 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo |
| Vineyard: | Marqués de Riscal |
| Origin: | Rioja, Spain |
| Vintage: | 2018 |
| ABV%: | 14.5% |
| Colour: | Intense dark-cherry colour |
| Aromas: |
Very elegant, complex nose, with aromas of black fruit and lots of spice. |
| Flavours: | Smooth and round in the mouth, with tannins which are firm, yet silky and very sweet and which envelop the whole palate. The finish is long, lingering, fresh and balanced with a hint of fine elegant tannins. |
Region
La Rioja, a region in Spain, is renowned for its iconic wines that bear its name. This region comprises three primary districts: Alta and Alavesa in the north, characterized by their higher altitudes, and the warm, arid Oriental district in the south, formerly known as Rioja Baja. While the primary red grape varieties include Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, there are also instances of international grape varieties being used. Rioja wines stand out due to their traditional aging classification system, which emphasizes extended aging in oak barrels.
Producer
Tracing back to 1858, the Marques de Riscal, then living in Bordeaux, employed a French winemaker to elevate the local winemaking techniques. By 1862, they achieved a milestone by producing the first bottled Rioja wine. Making history again in 1895, Marques de Riscal became the first non-French wine to earn the diploma of honour at the Bordeaux Exhibition. Presently, the company possesses nearly 600 hectares of vineyards spanning La Rioja, Rueda, and Castilla y Leon. Since 2006, Marques de Riscal introduced "The City of Wine," a state-of-the-art winery complemented by a hotel, a creation of renowned architect Frank O. Gehry.
Tasting Notes
The Gran Reserva is made from selected grapes from 80 year old vines and spends two and a half years ageing in French oak barrels then spending a further 3 years in bottle before release. Deep black-cherry colour, almost opaque. Very elegant, complex nose, with aromas of black fruit and lots of spice. It is smooth and round in the mouth, with tannins whch are firm, yet silky and very sweet and which envelop the whole palate. The finish is long, lingering, fresh and balanced with a hint of fine elegant tannins.
Food Pairing
Recommended accompaniments include ham, mature cheeses, succulent red meats, roasted dishes, and hearty game casseroles.