Wine: Gran Colegiata 1987 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Fariña (Toro, Zamora)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Toro
Varietals: 100% Tinta de Toro.
ABV: 13.5% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Fariña (Toro, Zamora)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Toro
Varietals: 100% Tinta de Toro.
ABV: 13.5% vol.
Winemaking:
Grapes selected from very poor sandy vineyards with low yields. Intense crushing and destemming followed by a long maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 27–29°C. The wine matured for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, primarily using neutral casks previously utilized for Crianza and Reserva, with a small percentage of new wood. A minimum of 2 years of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
Grapes selected from very poor sandy vineyards with low yields. Intense crushing and destemming followed by a long maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 27–29°C. The wine matured for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, primarily using neutral casks previously utilized for Crianza and Reserva, with a small percentage of new wood. A minimum of 2 years of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-cherry color with medium-high depth; opaque and very dark.
Featuring a matte finish with muted brilliance and faint reddish and
coppery reflections. Strong sense of viscosity with thick, persistent
legs. Broad orange rim, showing a sharp contrast against the meniscus.
Nose:
Medium-intensity initial aromas. Soft, clean, and unpretentious, it
reveals its complexity with measured pause. An elegant nuance of black
fruit, pitch, and Zara
licorice emerges, giving way to a perfume of autumnal scrubland: damp
earth, dead leaves, chestnut bark, and humus. Hints of wine-soaked
staves, noble wood, and tung oil appear but remain subtly integrated.
With aeration, it gains finesse and depth, becoming increasingly
fragrant with notes of marron glacé, candied quince, and toasted nuances. Very complete.
Palate:
Perhaps the wine’s highlight. Dry, stout, and polished by the years,
yet brimming with vigor and life. It maintains the high acidity of a
great wine, supporting ripe black fruits, diverse spices, and refined
bitters. Concentrated and intensely fresh. An upright red—somewhat
austere and elusive—that balances the severity of a grand Toro with the
necessary lightness of a wine built for longevity.
Commentary:
The 1987 Gran Colegiata "Etiqueta Negra" is a legendary milestone in the history of Toro. Manuel Fariña’s audacity in the mid-80s resulted in a "super-Toro" designed to showcase the region's potential for long-term aging. This rare and limited edition, discontinued after 1989 due to its high production costs, remains a pinnacle of Tinta de Toro. It is a wine that stays true to its origin without attempting to replicate the traditional Rioja style, proving that Toro can achieve world-class sophistication and endurance.
The 1987 Gran Colegiata "Etiqueta Negra" is a legendary milestone in the history of Toro. Manuel Fariña’s audacity in the mid-80s resulted in a "super-Toro" designed to showcase the region's potential for long-term aging. This rare and limited edition, discontinued after 1989 due to its high production costs, remains a pinnacle of Tinta de Toro. It is a wine that stays true to its origin without attempting to replicate the traditional Rioja style, proving that Toro can achieve world-class sophistication and endurance.
Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Average: 94
Tasting Group Average: 94
No comments:
Post a Comment