Faustino V 1970 Reserva

Wine: Faustino V 1970 Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, La Rioja)
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano
ABV: [Not specified] 

Winemaking
The wine spent 14 months in tanks to complete fermentation and stabilize before being transferred to oak barrels. It underwent an aging period of 12 to 24 months in 225-liter oak barrels. Prior to its commercial release, it was aged for a minimum of 24 months in the bottle. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brownish-ruby of medium-low depth; exceptionally clear with orange and reddish highlights. It features a very broad rim with almost no discernible variation against the meniscus. Clean. 

 

Nose: The paradigm of traditional Rioja, embodying an extreme concept of Riojan classicism. It offers everything one expects from a historic Faustino in "industrial quantities"—intensely ripe red fruit, leather, fine leather goods, animal notes, horsehair, smoked spices, and vanilla. However, it evolves rapidly, showing signs of fatigue and suggesting it is past its optimal drinking window. Given its urgency, the wine was consumed within 15 minutes. An agonizing yet beautiful red that erupts like a volcano until the smoke clears. It left a "beautiful corpse."

 

Palate: The palate confirms the symptoms of excessive oxidation. Medium-bodied, soft, lean, and pleasant to the touch. The ensemble is profoundly classical, featuring a spark of acidity that fades like a shooting star. Abundant red fruit; elegant and serious. It provides immense drinking pleasure but demands rapid consumption. Like a "replicant" counting time backward, it was destined to disappear. A fleeting yet deeply enjoyable experience.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Score: 89