Don Jacobo 1982

Wine: Don Jacobo 1982
Winery: Bodegas Corral (Navarrete, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha.
ABV: 12% vol.

Winemaking

Grapes sourced from the winery’s 40 hectares in Sojuela, supplemented by grapes from local growers. The wine remained for 18 months in concrete and stainless steel tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 18 months in used American, French, and Yugoslavian oak barrels, undergoing a total of 3 manual rackings. Membrane-filtered prior to bottling. It underwent a minimum of 6 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brilliant reddish-ruby color; clean, vivid, and luminous with medium depth. It displays reddish and orange reflections. Wide, coppery rim.

 

Nose: Frank and clean on the nose, with minimal oak expression except for a fluctuating hint of toasted cocoa that comes and goes. There is a good amount of ripe, liqueur-like red fruit and bitter orange marmalade, accompanied by shy notes of young wood and vanilla. Simple and well-crafted.

 

Palate: On the palate, it recalls the classic "crianzas" of the 1970s, such as Franco-Españolas' Bordón or Montecillo's Viña Cumbrero. Dry, spicy, light, and fresh, it features a minimal oak presence and a notable amount of reduced red fruit. It maintains a powerful acidity—so characteristic of the 1982 vintage—alongside an almost bitter and balsamic finish. Remarkably easy to drink.

 

Commentary

The 1982 Don Jacobo is an honest and straightforward wine that captures the vibrant energy of its vintage. While it lacks the complexity of the house's higher-tier bottlings, its freshness and "claret-like" agility make it a very pleasant survivor. It is a well-resolved red that prioritizes fruit and drinkability, standing as a reliable example of the reliable winemaking found in Navarrete during the early 80s.

 

Personal Score: 85
Tasting Group Average: 85