Wine: Berberana 1950 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Berberana (Ollauri, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, 20% Garnacha, and other local varieties.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winery: Bodegas Berberana (Ollauri, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, 20% Garnacha, and other local varieties.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winemaking:
The wine initially spent between 12 and 18 months in large wooden vats dating back to the winery’s founding era, where it completed malolactic fermentation and natural stabilization. It then underwent an extensive aging period of at least 7 years in used 225-liter American oak barrels and ancient foudres of various capacities. Following a gentle filtration, the wine was bottled starting in 1960 according to market demand. A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars (calados) of the original Ollauri winery was required before its commercial release.
The wine initially spent between 12 and 18 months in large wooden vats dating back to the winery’s founding era, where it completed malolactic fermentation and natural stabilization. It then underwent an extensive aging period of at least 7 years in used 225-liter American oak barrels and ancient foudres of various capacities. Following a gentle filtration, the wine was bottled starting in 1960 according to market demand. A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars (calados) of the original Ollauri winery was required before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Translucent ruby-brownish color with medium-low depth; remarkably clear
and clean. Vibrant amber and coppery reflections with notable
brilliance. Broad brick-orange rim, extending across the entire surface
of the meniscus.
Nose:
Initially disconcerting and muted, showing a flat profile without any
immediate aromatic register. After three hours of aeration, it reveals a
magnificent, serene character, unfolding elegant wood notes and a
discreet backdrop of vanilla—the unmistakable "house style." Profoundly
classic and austere, it requires significant time and space to evolve.
Eventually, notes of macerated red fruit emerge, accompanied by withered
flowers, vegetal nuances of tobacco leaf, and a peppery, almost smoky
finish. Pure and subtle, entirely devoid of artifice.
Palate: A sensory déjà-vu;
balanced, light, and rounded. It glides through the palate thanks to
silky, caressing tannins. It evokes the distant yet captivating presence
of historic Viña Albina vintages. It maintains a remarkable, well-integrated acidity that has remained unburdened by the passage of time.
Commentary:
This Gran Reserva bears no resemblance to the 1952 vintage, yet it shares the same foundational philosophy: a wine crafted to endure across successive decades. It is a masterclass in subtlety, stripping away everything superfluous to highlight its core elegance. A superb example of a "long-distance" Rioja that rewards patience and aeration.
This Gran Reserva bears no resemblance to the 1952 vintage, yet it shares the same foundational philosophy: a wine crafted to endure across successive decades. It is a masterclass in subtlety, stripping away everything superfluous to highlight its core elegance. A superb example of a "long-distance" Rioja that rewards patience and aeration.
Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Average: 96
Price: 70 €
Tasting Group Average: 96
Price: 70 €
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