Faustino I 1978 Gran Reserva

Wine: Faustino I 1978 Gran Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 15% Mazuelo
ABV: [Not specified]
Winemaking

The wine spent 16 months in concrete vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize. It was matured for 24 to 30 months in 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French and Yugoslavian) with an average age of 15 to 16 years. Bottled in the iconic frosted glass container. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging was completed in the winery’s underground cellars prior to release. 

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Bright, clear reddish-ruby with medium-low depth; pristine with very fine sediment. It shows copper and orange highlights. The rim is broad and fully tawny (tile-red), merging indistinguishably with the meniscus. 

 

Nose: The signature, recognizable Faustino style—highly classic. It offers aromas of stewed fruit, creamy nuances, bitter orange marmalade, and quince paste, with a balsamic hint of sage and ground bay leaf. Settled and mature, it reveals notes of seasoned wood, nut shells, varnish, leather, and a persistent touch of vanilla that remains present throughout. 

 

Palate: Light and somewhat delicate on the palate; ethereal and remarkably smooth. It features polished tannins—though they are still perceptible—and a correct acidity. The ensemble is defined by spices and a hint of concentrated red fruit that is both liqueur-like and spicy. It is currently in a "sweet spot" for drinking and perhaps deserves a few more years of cellaring, but not many. A classic among classics, strictly for the "devotees" of the Rembrandt and Gluck labels. A Faustino I rarely disappoints, though we still miss a greater sense of vintage expression.

 

Personal Score: 88
Tasting Group Score: 89