This
is distinctive for Rioja, right down to its coppery
color. Rich and full-bodied, it shows abundant black
cherry flavors, with plenty of spice and vanilla.
It has a velvety mouthfeel and a long, fruit-driven
finish.
Produced
from 100-year old vines, this wine is 80% Tempranillo,
15% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, and aged 24 months in
American and French oak and 24 months in bottle.
Rioja
red wines are classified into four categories. The
first, simply labeled "Rioja," is the youngest,
spending less than a year in an oak aging barrel.
A "crianza" is wine aged for at least two
years, at least one of which was in oak. "Rioja
Reserva" is aged for at least three years, of
which at least one year is in oak. Finally, "Rioja
Gran Reserva" wines have been aged at least
two years in oak and three years in bottle. (Reserva
and Gran Reserva wines are not necessarily produced
each year.)
