Marqués de Riscal 1947 Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Riscal 1947 Reserva

Winery: Marqués de Riscal (Elciego, Álava)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV: [Not specified]
Winemaking

Contains a negligible percentage of white varietals—primarily Viura—from vines historically planted at the ends of rows for family consumption, which were also harvested for the winery. The wine spent several months in large oak vats for fermentation and stabilization before being mechanically racked into barrels. It was aged in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels for 5 to 7 years. Continuous rackings (trasiegos) every three months during the first three years aimed to avoid filtration prior to bottling. Traditional fining with fresh egg whites. Hand-bottled directly from the barrel.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Bright, clear reddish-ruby with medium-high depth; remarkably stable and slightly darker than analogous vintages (1946–1948). It shows reddish and copper highlights, featuring a broad orange rim with a sharp distinction from the meniscus.

 

Nose: Perfumed, fragrant, and exceedingly elegant, with the added bonus of an extraordinary intensity rarely found in wines of this age. It is rich in floral aromas, with a fabulous initial expression of withered flowers, dried petals, and spices (clove, smoked black pepper) that gradually give way to concentrated red fruit, English orange marmalade, and dried apricots. This is supported by a background of cedar, exotic woods, and a toasted note of cocoa shavings. A Riscal of great depth—floral and ethereal—devoid of classic Riojan aging traits, showing a full varietal character. It possesses a balsamic, ointment-like trail that occasionally reveals a very refined Cabernet character. Beautiful.

 

Palate: Harmonious, well-settled, and orderly, without a trace of hard edges; featuring round, mature tannins. The mouthfeel is light, fresh, and earthy—savory, with fine bitter nuances and a mineral hint of graphite previously noted in other vintages from the same decade. It displays impeccable nerve and the signature fresh acidity so characteristic of the winery's best harvests.

 

Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Score: 96

Trasiego mecánico del vino desde los grandes tinos de madera en los que fermenta hasta las viejas barricas de roble americano. Foto de los años 40.