Berberana 1958 Gran Reserva

Wine: Berberana 1958 Gran Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Berberana (Ollauri, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, 20% Garnacha.
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
The wine initially spent 12 months in large, neutral oak vats dating back to the winery’s founding era to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize. It was subsequently aged for 60 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barriques. Following a light filtration, it was bottled in mid-1965. The wine underwent a minimum of 4 years of bottle aging in the historic subterranean cellars (calados) of Ollauri prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Translucent brownish-ruby of medium-low depth. It displays copper and orange glints with a broad, tawny (tile-red) rim that shows almost no variation from the meniscus.

 

Nose: Soft and discreet with medium intensity. A poised and steady red where toasted, creamy, and vanilla notes predominate, alongside a spicy accent that continuously gains momentum. While primary fruit is entirely absent, the wine retains the "civilized" charm characteristic of the Berberana family era and the extensive élevage typical of the Ollauri cellars.

 

Palate: Consistent with the nose, it is a rounded and impeccably balanced red. It offers a silken mouthfeel with a high-quality initial sweetness that persists throughout. Fresh, light, and medium-bodied, it reveals an earthy character with bitter and balsamic nuances of sage and cocoa powder. The entire structure is supported by a precise acidity that maintains the wine's poise without effort. A quintessential example of a great, historic Berberana. Outstanding!

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 92