Diamante 1961 Blanco Reserva

Wine: Diamante 1961 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

Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small-scale growers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large, early 20th-century seasoned oak vats for fermentation and settling before racking. It was matured for 24 to 30 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottled in mid-1965. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars was completed prior to release. 

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Golden-amber color with significant viscosity; slightly grainy in texture with small amounts of sediment at the base. It shows luminous orange and golden highlights.

 

Nose: An unusual white on the nose citrusy, creamy, and open. It reveals aromas of red-toned fruits like orange zest and nectarines, alongside a hint of lemon brine. It features a subtle background of toasted notes and seasoned, wine-soaked oak with oxidative (rancio) nuances. Non-intrusive. These are joined by an intense hint of cocoa butter, liqueur-like notes, and confectionery aromas: pastry, candied fruit, and Coca de San Juan. Creamy and spicy (vanilla, nutmeg) with very little reductive sensation.

 

Palate: Full-bodied, creamy, and vanillic; well-settled in style. It possesses sufficient acidity to support the sweet stone fruit—custard apple and yellow plums. There is a low oak influence and a slight, lingering sense of sweetness on the palate. It bears no resemblance to the Viña Soledad from the same winery.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Score: 90