Wine: Marqués de Villamagna 1978 Gran ReservaWinery: Bodegas Campo Viejo (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winemaking:
A selection of grapes from the oldest vineyards owned by Bodegas Campo Viejo (the original proprietor of the Marqués de Villamagna brand) in Navarrete, Rioja Alta. Each variety was vinified separately. The wine spent 18 months in large 5,000-liter oak vats to complete fermentation and stabilize before being racked. The final blend was then aged for 36 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels. A minimum of 4 years of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars was required before its commercial release.
A selection of grapes from the oldest vineyards owned by Bodegas Campo Viejo (the original proprietor of the Marqués de Villamagna brand) in Navarrete, Rioja Alta. Each variety was vinified separately. The wine spent 18 months in large 5,000-liter oak vats to complete fermentation and stabilize before being racked. The final blend was then aged for 36 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels. A minimum of 4 years of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars was required before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Dark reddish-ruby color with medium-high depth; opaque and with
somewhat muted brilliance. Featuring coppery and orange reflections.
Narrow brick-orange rim.
Nose:
A Villamagna that has partially evolved away from its peak but still
resists its fate with dignity. It is highly pleasant and open, initially
showing a generous dose of fine wood, fresh vanilla, withered flowers,
and high-quality leather fused with sweet spices. A textbook, orderly,
and coherent classic Rioja, though it lacks the radiant core of ripe
fruit found in previous vintages. As it breathes, it gains intensity and
reveals notes of aromatic herbs like lavender and fenugreek. While it
lacks the sheer "punch" of the legendary 1973 and 1975, it remains a
charming and evocative wine.
Palate:
It shows integrity and remains upright, dense, and concentrated. The
tannins are still quite present, and while it possesses a sense of
roundness, it has not yet reached its ultimate peak. Surprisingly
nervous on the palate, it is backed by an abundant and vibrant acidity.
Although it sits in the shadow of its predecessors, it is a solid and
well-structured Gran Reserva.
Commentary:
The 1978 Marqués de Villamagna is a delightful, "lighter" version of the house's mid-70s masterpieces. It is a wine that prioritizes balance and traditional Rioja aromatics over raw power. Although it may not capture the same brilliance as the 1973, its freshness and structural integrity ensure it remains a very rewarding bottle for those who enjoy the more austere side of aged Tempranillo.
The 1978 Marqués de Villamagna is a delightful, "lighter" version of the house's mid-70s masterpieces. It is a wine that prioritizes balance and traditional Rioja aromatics over raw power. Although it may not capture the same brilliance as the 1973, its freshness and structural integrity ensure it remains a very rewarding bottle for those who enjoy the more austere side of aged Tempranillo.
Personal Score: 87
Tasting Group Average: 89
Tasting Group Average: 89
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