Faustino I 1970 Gran Reserva

Wine: Faustino I 1970 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, La Rioja)
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% 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 its 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: Pale ruby of medium depth; no significant variation between the meniscus and the rim. Bright, with amber and pomegranate highlights.

 

Nose: Deeply traditional, positioned stylistically between the 1955 Gran Faustino and the 1964 Faustino I. It shows reductive notes of medium intensity. A curious bouquet replete with high-quality nuances, dominated by aromas of withered flowers, clove, and bay leaf, set against an elegant backdrop of smoke and exotic peppers (Sichuan, cubeb, allspice). It softens as it breathes, revealing notes of caramel, lean raisins, and creamy undertones, which gradually give way to a more pronounced classical aging expression: leather, animal notes, and "antique shop" characters—noble woods, varnished furniture, and oils (tung, linseed).

 

Palate: Fragile, light, and fresh; polished and savory with very fine bitters and an almost piquant sensation that melds with an endless trail of old oak, toast, and spices. A poised and mature Rioja for devotees of the most traditional Gran Reserva style ever crafted. It maintains sound acidity and silky tannins. 

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Score: 89