Wine: Royal Tête de Cuvée 1955 Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 65% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 15% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 65% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 15% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards. The wine spent between 18 and 24 months in large wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was aged for 48 to 60 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels and foudres of various capacities. Three manual rackings were performed annually during the first three years, and two per year thereafter. Traditional fining with fresh egg whites was carried out before bottling. Production was limited to 15,200 bottles. A minimum of 6 years of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars was required before release. (Note: This batch was re-corked in the mid-1980s to ensure optimal evolution; initial lots were sold as Reserva, while subsequent ones were labeled Gran Reserva).
Grapes sourced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards. The wine spent between 18 and 24 months in large wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was aged for 48 to 60 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels and foudres of various capacities. Three manual rackings were performed annually during the first three years, and two per year thereafter. Traditional fining with fresh egg whites was carried out before bottling. Production was limited to 15,200 bottles. A minimum of 6 years of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars was required before release. (Note: This batch was re-corked in the mid-1980s to ensure optimal evolution; initial lots were sold as Reserva, while subsequent ones were labeled Gran Reserva).
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Ruby color with medium body; clear, translucent, and as brilliant as a
gemstone. It is remarkably clean, showing no sediment despite its six
decades of age. Radiant reddish and coppery reflections. Extremely broad
orange rim, extending across most of the meniscus.
Nose:
Expansive and potent, brimming with intricate details. While it shows a
slight, attractive reduction, its depth is overwhelming, drawing
comparisons to a historic Marqués de Riscal RM.
It opens with notes of black pepper, balsam, rock tea, and smoked-dried
meat, evolving into a pronounced earthy and mineral foundation: flint,
gunpowder, matchstick, decomposed slate, and kerosene. A truly striking
bouquet. Juicy fruit emerges with vigor, featuring nuances of vanilla
and sloe gin, accompanied by lilas and withered flowers. It prioritizes
raw purity and expressiveness over conventional elegance.
Palate:
Creamy and unexpectedly thick on the palate. It is vibrant and
mouth-watering, driven by a sparkling acidity and notes of citrus. It
unfolds layers of red fruit, toasted nuances, spices, leather, and
exceptionally fine wood in a seemingly endless finish. The 1955 vintage
appears to hold a unique magic for Franco-Españolas, delivering wines of
extraordinary intensity.
Commentary:
The 1955 Royal Tête de Cuvée is a tour de force of character and mineral depth. It is a wine that "hooks" the taster through its sheer expressiveness and structural vitality rather than through polished balance. A monumental example of the potential of Logroño’s traditional winemaking during a legendary Rioja harvest.
The 1955 Royal Tête de Cuvée is a tour de force of character and mineral depth. It is a wine that "hooks" the taster through its sheer expressiveness and structural vitality rather than through polished balance. A monumental example of the potential of Logroño’s traditional winemaking during a legendary Rioja harvest.
Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Average: 96
Tasting Group Average: 96
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