Conde de los Andes 1981 Gran Reserva

Wine: Conde de los Andes 1981 Gran Reserva

Winery: Federico Paternina (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
ABV: 12%
Winemaking

The wine spent 12 months in centennial oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before being racked for aging. It was matured for 4 to 5 years in semi-new 225-liter American oak barrels. Depending on the vintage, it was aged in the bottle for 10 to 15 years in the underground cellars in Ollauri prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Very clear and clean reddish-ruby with medium-low depth (capa); showing brownish and orange nuances. The rim is broad and fully tawny (tile-red), with almost no distinction from the meniscus.

 

Nose: Good aromatic intensity—classic, elegant, and extremely traditional in profile, with an ultra-vanillic character. A well-settled red, featuring a marked expression of liqueur-like red fruit, orange zest, and creamy textures, alongside notes of barnyard and seasoned wood. The background reveals a hint of faisandage and game.

 

Palate: Supple (graso) on the palate, with an elegantly sweet nuance and velvety tannins. It offers sweet, almost spicy fruit—bitter orange marmalade—supported by more than sufficient acidity. Round, orderly, and balanced; everything is in its place. It does not disappoint at any moment. This is one of the last great Paternina wines that strictly follows the winery’s historic "manual." While excellent, it shows slightly less depth than the extraordinary vintages of the 70s, which remain the benchmark for this label. One can already sense the shift in the model of what was for decades Paternina’s flagship wine, eventually leading to the current, less-than-brilliant versions of Conde de los Andes.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Score: 90