Wine: Royal 1966 Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 30% Graciano, 20% Mazuelo.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 30% Graciano, 20% Mazuelo.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winemaking:
The wine spent 12 months in large early 20th-century wooden vats (approx. 32,000 liters) to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 48 to 54 months in neutral American oak barrels of various capacities—primarily 225-liter casks with an average age of 10 to 15 years—crafted by the winery’s own coopers. Two manual rackings were performed annually. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars was required before its commercial release.
The wine spent 12 months in large early 20th-century wooden vats (approx. 32,000 liters) to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for 48 to 54 months in neutral American oak barrels of various capacities—primarily 225-liter casks with an average age of 10 to 15 years—crafted by the winery’s own coopers. Two manual rackings were performed annually. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging in the subterranean cellars was required before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Intense reddish-ruby color, almost garnet, with medium depth; clear and
impeccably clean, with no sediment. Features vibrant coppery
reflections and notable brilliance. Broad orange rim, showing a sharp
contrast against the inner meniscus.
Nose:
Vinuous, concentrated, and potent, possessing an enormous personality.
This vintage transcends the typical "friendly claret" profile often
associated with this label (which frequently blurred the lines between
the winery’s other brands like Tres Marqueses or Bordón).
It opens with a pronounced medicinal note that overlays a bouquet of
Christmas spices—star anise, juniper, ginger, and cloves—and a
background of old wood that softens with aeration. Nuances of moss, damp
earth, and black licorice emerge. While it gains some refinement as it
breathes, it prioritizes character and depth over pure elegance.
Palate:
Full-bodied, thick, and deeply spiced. It presents a mature, dry, and
generous profile, almost vinous in nature, yet tempered by a powerful
acidity. It reveals macerated red fruit with a creamy texture and
striking wild, forest-like undertones. It takes hold of the palate with a
certain brusqueness—dry, sharp, and bitter, yet remarkably persistent.
An addictive wine that constantly invites the next sip.
Commentary:
A singular and robust version of the Royal Reserva that defies its historical reputation for lightness. The significant presence of Graciano and Mazuelo likely contributes to this structural vigor and sharp acidity. It is a rustic yet fascinating Rioja, full of "punch" and earthy complexity, proving that the 1966 vintage in Logroño could produce wines of remarkable grip and longevity.
A singular and robust version of the Royal Reserva that defies its historical reputation for lightness. The significant presence of Graciano and Mazuelo likely contributes to this structural vigor and sharp acidity. It is a rustic yet fascinating Rioja, full of "punch" and earthy complexity, proving that the 1966 vintage in Logroño could produce wines of remarkable grip and longevity.
Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
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