Viña Soledad Tête de Cuvée 1959 Blanco Reserva

Wine: Viña Soledad Tête de Cuvée 1959 Blanco Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Viura, 25% Garnacha Blanca, 25% Malvasía Riojana.
ABV: [Not specified] 

Winemaking
The wine spent 12 months in large oak vats to complete fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was subsequently aged for 48 to 60 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barriques. A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging was completed in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes (27/07/2013)

 

Appearance: Intense golden hue with orange and reddish glints. Clean and brilliant, showing no sediment and a strong sense of viscosity.

 

Nose: Open, aromatic, and deep. It presents a complex amalgam of exotic spices (turmeric, cloves, Sichuan pepper) alongside elegant smoky notes, truffle, and forest floor (sous-bois). It reveals sweet-toned nuances of honey-eucalyptus drops, apothecary hints, citronella, and candied lemons. These are further enriched by notes of coriander seeds, quince, and English orange marmalade. Mature and powerful, the bouquet develops a creamy character with white spices, caramelized sugar, vanilla, and pastry notes reminiscent of crema catalana.

 

Palate: Impeccably structured, where every element is balanced by a profound acidity and sweet citrus notes. It is mature, full-bodied, and savory, showing fine bitter nuances and a balsamic lift. Remarkably lively and complex, it feels more evolved (más hecho) than in previous tastings but remains far from heavy. A world-class Rioja white that serves as a reminder of Bodegas Franco-Españolas' historical status as an elite producer. Truly memorable. 

 

Personal Score: 97
Tasting Group Score: 97

Tasting Notes (31/12/2012)

 

Appearance: Old gold color with brilliant orange and golden glints. Clean and limpid, showing significant viscosity and no sediment.

 

Nose: Exceptional intensity and complexity, showing no signs of negative reduction. The bouquet is dominated by an intricate spice rack (turmeric, curry, white pepper) and noble wood (cedar, Russian leather, smoke, white truffle). These elements are seamlessly interwoven with sweet citrus (coriander seeds, preserved lemons in brine, lemongrass) and an inexhaustible palette of creamy notes: vanilla, toasted egg yolk, candied quince, orange marmalade, and whisky cake. As it breathes, it becomes overwhelming, revealing candied fruit, incense, and "sacristy" nuances.

 

Palate: The palate is stunning, characterized by a wild, unbridled acidity and an amalgam of sweet citrus. It remains incredibly vibrant and spicy, with a silky texture and a medium viscosity reminiscent of the historic semidulce and abocado styles of old Rioja. An "extraordinary passenger" still in transit; it has not yet reached its final destination and requires further years of bottle age to fully settle.

 

Personal Score: 96
Tasting Group Score: 95