Rioja Bordón 1982

Wine: Rioja Bordón 1982
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo.
ABV: [Not specified] 

Winemaking
The wine spent 12 months in large vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was subsequently matured for 24 to 36 months (depending on the vintage) in 225-liter American oak barriques. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging was completed in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Luminous reddish-ruby of medium depth; clean and brilliant with a developing orange-tinted rim. 

 

Nose: Initially reserved with low intensity, requiring significant aeration to unfurl. After an hour of decanting, the bouquet begins to broaden. It opens with notes of noble wood, Virginia pipe tobacco, and aromatic coffee, showing subtle hints of saddle leather and a growing concentration of ripe red fruit. As it breathes, it gains expression with nuances of candied fruit, bitter orange marmalade, and a background of dried flowers, sun-dried tomatoes, and white pepper. 

 

Palate: Very solid and stable; rounded and perfectly integrated. Currently at its peak drinking window. It is refined and light, with a medium body and a fresh mouthfeel. Reduced red fruit is seamlessly interwoven with toasted oak and high-quality, fully melted tannins. A savory and approachable ensemble. This 1981 represents a style of Rioja Bordón—with three years of oak aging and remarkable cellaring potential—that stands in stark contrast to modern mass-market iterations. A poignant reminder of the identity and quality levels that once defined this historic estate.

 

Personal Score: 88
Tasting Group Score: 90