Wine: Viña Valoria 1978 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodega Valoria (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: Bodega Valoria (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced exclusively from the municipality of Fuenmayor in Rioja Alta. The wine spent an initial 12 months in large wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 48 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels with an average age exceeding 10 years. Several manual rackings were performed annually. Production was limited to 33,115 bottles (75 cl). A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging was required. This special edition was released to the market in 2011.
Grapes sourced exclusively from the municipality of Fuenmayor in Rioja Alta. The wine spent an initial 12 months in large wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 48 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels with an average age exceeding 10 years. Several manual rackings were performed annually. Production was limited to 33,115 bottles (75 cl). A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging was required. This special edition was released to the market in 2011.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-ruby color with medium-high depth; dark and brilliant. Featuring
reddish and coppery reflections. Broad orange rim, showing a sharp
contrast against the meniscus.
Nose: An extremely conservative Valoria,
even more so than other contemporary releases from the winery. It is
heavily vanillic, built upon toasted oak and smoky notes. A curious
animalistic character emerges—stable, old wood, wet fur—that hovers over
nuances of faisandage
and bordering on pure, noble decay without being offensive. While
perhaps less elegant than the 1968 or 1973 vintages, it possesses
immense charm and character.
Palate:
Acidic and slender on the palate, yet concentrated. It is driven by a
sharp acidity and marked toasted flavors. A wine full of energy and
flavor, leaving a trail of reduced red fruits. Though it still has some
edges to polish, its potential is undeniable. It remains firm and
unwavering in its style.
Commentary:
The 1978 Viña Valoria Gran Reserva is a wine without concessions to modernity. It represents the Rioja of the "great wood-agers"—the traditional, lifelong style that is so easy to love. It offers the comfort of the familiar, standing as a robust and soulful red that captures the unyielding essence of Fuenmayor’s classicism.
The 1978 Viña Valoria Gran Reserva is a wine without concessions to modernity. It represents the Rioja of the "great wood-agers"—the traditional, lifelong style that is so easy to love. It offers the comfort of the familiar, standing as a robust and soulful red that captures the unyielding essence of Fuenmayor’s classicism.
Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Average: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
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