Don Jacobo 1978 Reserva

Wine: Don Jacobo 1978 Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Corral (Navarrete, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo.
ABV: — (Not specified) 

Winemaking

Grapes sourced from the winery’s 40 hectares in Sojuela, supplemented by grapes from local growers. The wine remained for 12 months in concrete and stainless steel tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 48 months in used American, French, and Yugoslavian oak barrels, undergoing a total of 3 manual rackings. Membrane-filtered prior to bottling. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging followed in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brownish-ruby color with low depth; clear and open. It displays orange reflections with subdued brilliance. The rim is wide and coppery.

 

Nose: High intensity and very mature, featuring notes of candied red and black fruits, figs, carob, quince, marrón glacé, nougat, marzipan, and orange biscotti. Somewhat excessive, recalling the sweet reds of that era. On the downside, it lacks full integration with the oak, which remains detached, contributing sweet spices and the expected vanilla notes. It opens rapidly, giving way to an array of leaf litter and elegant reduction: leather, cigar humidor, and tobacco leaf.

 

Palate: It holds its ground, though it begins to lag due to an incipient lack of acidity that flattens the overall profile. Mature, full of toasted nuances and sweet spices. It has already begun its decline, yet it is still a pleasure to drink. A few years ago, it would have been a very fine wine.

 

Commentary

The 1978 Reserva from Bodegas Corral is a somewhat difficult wine to place, reflecting a lack of stylistic synchronicity often found in the house's portfolio. While the "Corral Gran Reserva" stands out as a superior product, the rest of the range feels secondary. This Don Jacobo is a testament to a riper, more opulent style that is now losing its structural edge. It remains a curious, albeit fading, relic of Navarrete.

 

Personal Score: 86
Tasting Group Average: 87