Gran Faustino 1955 Gran Reserva

Wine: Gran Faustino 1955 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, La Rioja)
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
The wine spent 16 months in concrete vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize. It was aged for 24 to 30 months in 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French and Yugoslavian) with an average age of 15 to 16 years. Bottled in the estate’s signature frosted glass bottle. It rested for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s subterranean cellars (calados) prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: The paradigm of timeless Rioja. As classic as it gets. It appears brilliant and luminous, with an orange-ruby hue of very low depth. Reddish and amber highlights, with a broad rim showing no variation against the meniscus.

 

Nose: Refined and elegant, featuring hints of vanilla, creamy toast, and a spicy touch of pepper. It evokes an oriental attar shop (turmeric, bay leaf, coriander seeds, black cardamom). The fruit has literally disappeared, giving way to notes of shaded forest floor, "barnyard" (noble reduction), and birch. Beautiful and highly recognizable.

 

Palate: Soft, placid, and savory. Mature, with sufficient acidity and a strong oak presence. The tannins are polished and rounded, leading into fine citrus notes that dress an ensemble that has not lost its vigor. While it has its detractors, within its style, it is among the best. A red that proves Faustino Martínez’s specialty has always been crafting wines with great aging potential, achieved without excessively long wood aging—a rare and commendable merit, further enhanced in this instance by the unforgettable 1955 vintage.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 90