Marqués de Riscal 150 Aniversario 2017
Country
Spain
Region
Rioja
Producer
Marques de Riscal
Grape(s)
Tempranillo (90%)
Graciano (5%)
Mazuelo (5%)
Type
Red
Style
Complex
Oaked Style
Oaked
Body Style
Medium bodied
Dry/Sweet Style
Not applicable
Alcohol Content
15%
Closure Style
Cork
Organic/Biodynamic
No
Sustainable
No
Vegetarian/Vegan
Vegetarian
Yes
Vegan
Yes
Allergens
Sulphites
Yes
Milk
No
Egg
No
Region
The region of La Rioja lends its name to Spain`s most widely recognised wines. Rioja is split by three major districts; Alta and Alavesa to the north, which are higher in altitude and the hot dry Oriental district to the south (previously known as Rioja Baja). Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo are the main red grape varieties used however more international varieties can also be used. The traditional aging classification system gives Rioja wines their distinctive style through the influence of extended ageing in oak barrels.
Producer
The origins of the go back to 1858, when the Marques de Riscal, who was resident in Bordeaux, was asked to hire a French winemaker to help the locals improve their winemaking techniques, four years later in 1862 they produced the first ever Rioja wine to be bottled. In 1895 Marques de Riscal was the first non- French wine to win the diploma of honour in the Bordeaux Exhibition. Today the company owns nearly 600 hectares of vines, across La Rioja, Rueda and Castilla y Leon regions. Since 2006 Riscal inaugurated “The City of Wine” including a state-of-the-art winery and a hotel designed by the famous architect Frank O. Gehry.
Tasting Notes
Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva is a wine made only in excellent vintages and this 2016 marks the bodega`s 150th anniversary. On appearance the wine is a very deep, dark cherry colour. It has a complex, toasted, balsamic aroma with spicy notes of black pepper and cinnamon. Rich and full on the palate, with good structure, and great concentration of tannins, round, with a long, silky-smooth finish. The wine gets its intensity from 80 year old vines and its enticing richness from 30 months in French Oak before ageing a further 3 years in bottle which refined the tannins for a velvety smooth finish.
Food
Pair with ham, mature cheese, rich red meat, roasts and game casseroles.
Media
97 Points Guía Proensa 2022, 93 points Tim Atkin 2022. 99 points from Wine enthusiast in 2022.
