Viña Albina 1964 Reserva

Wine: Viña Albina 1964 Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano, 5% others (Viura and local varieties).
ABV: — (Not specified)

Winemaking

The wine remained for 18 months in wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before racking. It matured in used 225-liter American oak barrels for a minimum of 36 months, with two manual rackings performed each year. It was commercialized after a minimum of 2 years of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Reddish-ruby color with medium-high depth; extracted, with amber and reddish reflections. Tawny/brick-colored rim showing a marked contrast against the meniscus. (Note: Outstanding cork from Bodegas Riojanas; likely recorked after two decades of aging. This bottle was sold in Logroño in 1989).

 

Nose: Powerful and full of personality, following a profile that is more reminiscent of Monte Real than the typical Viña Albina of the era. Great initial intensity and fully open. It offers classic aging notes: leather, tobacco leaf, clove, and a vanilla backdrop that loses intensity as it breathes. It evolves slowly, shedding layers to reveal a greater austerity. Robust, firm, and toasted, with a foundation of dried leaves.

 

Palate: It possesses nerve and strength; vital and full-bodied, with an initial thrust of acidity that elevates the entire profile. Unmistakable and substantial, in the quintessential 1964 style: brimming with energy. This core of freshness and vigor does not overshadow the integrated and elegant character inherent to the brand. Long and spicy.

 

Commentary

The 1964 Viña Albina is a "safe bet" that continues to hold its ground with remarkable energy. It is a robust and firm red that captures the legendary power of the 1964 vintage while maintaining the traditional elegance of Cenicero. Its impeccable preservation—likely aided by a later recorking—suggests that it will continue to age gracefully for many years if cellared correctly.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Average: 92