Marqués de Riscal 1980

Wine: Marqués de Riscal 1980

Winery: Marqués de Riscal (Elciego, Álava)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Tempranillo, 7% Graciano, 7% Mazuelo, 1% Viura and other white varieties.
ABV: 12% vol.

Winemaking

Grapes sourced from smallholders’ plots in Rioja Alavesa, specifically from Elciego, Leza, Laguardia, and Labastida. It contains a minor percentage of white varieties, primarily Viura, which were traditionally planted at the head of the rows for family consumption and harvested alongside the red grapes. The wine remained for 12 months in stainless steel tanks to complete fermentation. It was then racked into used 225-liter American oak barrels for 36 months of aging, with two manual rackings performed each year. A minimum of 12 months of bottle aging followed in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brownish-ruby color with medium-low depth; clear with orange reflections. Slightly matte, lacking brilliance. The rim is wide and tawny/brick-colored, showing little distinction from the meniscus.

 

Nose: Medium intensity, lacking great depth but soft and clean. Initially, it reveals a beautiful array of classic aging notes: blonde tobacco, creamy toast, vanilla, and a backdrop of wine-soaked oak and old leather. The profile becomes increasingly mature and open, yielding notes of dried fruits and freshly ground spices.

 

Palate: Light and fresh on the palate. Round and approachable, with a very pleasant subtle bitterness. It maintains good acidity and some highly evolved, reduced red fruit. Subtle, with silky tannins. Discreet yet reliable. A light, friendly, and perfectly measured red where no single element overpowers the whole.

 

Commentary

The 1980 vintage from Riscal is a testament to the "Swiss-like" regularity and reliability of the house. What might be criticized as a lack of complexity in other wines is here a virtue: an endearing, honest, and completely balanced Rioja. These traditional bottlings continue to accumulate years without collapsing, offering a lesson in consistency. A modest but dignified red that remains a safe bet for lovers of the classic Alavesa style.

 

Personal Score: 89
Tasting Group Average: 90