Wine: Diamante 1967 Blanco Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Viura, 25% Garnacha Blanca, 25% Malvasía Riojana.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Viura, 25% Garnacha Blanca, 25% Malvasía Riojana.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small-scale growers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large early 20th-century wooden vats for fermentation and stabilization before being racked. It was aged for 30 to 36 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottling began in March 1972, followed by a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars prior to its commercial release.
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small-scale growers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large early 20th-century wooden vats for fermentation and stabilization before being racked. It was aged for 30 to 36 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottling began in March 1972, followed by a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars prior to its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
An incredible visual display for a wine approaching its 50th
anniversary. It presents an intense yellow color that stops just short
of golden; limpid, with only a few fine bitartrate crystals at the base
that shine like "diamonds." Radiant and luminous, it shows vibrant
golden glints. Upon swirling, it conveys a sense of thickness and
unctuosity, leaving medium, persistent legs.
Nose:
It catches the taster off guard, erupting with the force of a "cannon
shot." It fills the room with smoky, chimney-like aromas and a deeply
spiced, pungent character. It displays an unbridled range of mineral
notes—bitumen, flint, and tar—that challenge even the most experienced
palate. Once properly decanted and allowed to breathe, it reveals a
profound, terroir-driven white wine. It is expansive, offering nuances
of stone fruit and fruit in syrup, characterized by immense purity,
finesse, and elegance.
Palate: The entry is imposing. It is lively, intact, and thick—a direct and honest wine. It possesses a decidedly off-dry (abocado)
profile that is masterfully corrected by an implacable acidity acting
as a refreshing elixir. It overflows with ripe, fresh fruit and refined
bitter hints. The oak is perfectly integrated, projecting a subtle
shadow of vanilla over the ensemble.
Commentary:
The 1967 Diamante Reserva is a true gem of Rioja winemaking. It represents a stylistic peak for Bodegas Franco-Españolas, balancing its traditional sweetness with a structural vitality that defies time. Its mineral depth and aromatic violence make it an unforgettable sensory experience, especially when paired with traditional Riojan pastries like pastel ruso or fardelejos. Pure history in a glass.
The 1967 Diamante Reserva is a true gem of Rioja winemaking. It represents a stylistic peak for Bodegas Franco-Españolas, balancing its traditional sweetness with a structural vitality that defies time. Its mineral depth and aromatic violence make it an unforgettable sensory experience, especially when paired with traditional Riojan pastries like pastel ruso or fardelejos. Pure history in a glass.
Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Average: 99
Tasting Group Average: 99
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