Coto de Imaz 1982 Gran Reserva

Wine: Coto de Imaz 1982 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas El Coto (Oyón, Álava)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaking: Grapes sourced entirely from estate-owned vineyards in the municipalities of Cenicero and Mendavia. The wine spent 12 months in vats for fermentation and stabilization before being racked. It underwent 36 months of aging in 225-liter American oak barrels. Fined with fresh egg whites. Aged in the bottle for 24 to 36 months prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes:
 

Appearance: Very pale, translucent ruby with low depth (capa). Clean and bright, showing orange and copper highlights. It features an extremely broad, tawny (tile-red) rim that merges seamlessly with the meniscus.

 

Nose: Initially marked by a strong oak influence, showing vanilla, soft creamy toast, and sweet spices (nutmeg, white pepper), which gradually give way to a more classic profile. Nuances of "barnyard" (cuadra), liqueur-like red fruit, candied quince, and bitter orange marmalade are supported by a slightly wild herbaceous backdrop (nettle, sage, bay leaf) and fine earthy notes. While it lacks great breadth, it is well-defined and shows no signs of fatigue.

 

Palate: Smooth and fresh on the palate; somewhat thin and short, yet very lively and driven by a commendable acidity. It is savory and toasty, sustained by a significant amount of concentrated red fruit (strawberry tree fruit, sour cherries) and spices. It lacks a degree of depth, a common trait in many of this winery's offerings. This Gran Reserva is difficult to categorize within the context of its era, sitting halfway between traditional Rioja styles and the new wave that emerged in the 1970s. It will hold for a while longer, though it is unlikely to develop much further.

 

Personal Score: 87
Tasting Group Score: 88