Wine: Viña Pomal 1981
Winery: Bodegas Bilbaínas (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano.
ABV: 12% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Bilbaínas (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano.
ABV: 12% vol.
Winemaking:
The wine spent 12 months in tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before wood aging. Depending on the vintage, it rested for 24 to 30 months in semi-neutral 225-liter American oak barrels, undergoing two manual rackings per year. A minimum of 18 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
The wine spent 12 months in tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before wood aging. Depending on the vintage, it rested for 24 to 30 months in semi-neutral 225-liter American oak barrels, undergoing two manual rackings per year. A minimum of 18 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Translucent ruby-brownish color with medium-low depth; very light and
clear. It shows orange and brick-red reflections with a somewhat muted
brilliance. Broad coppery rim, extending across most of the surface of
the meniscus.
Nose:
Remarkably mature with a powerful varietal expression; open and
expansive, showing almost no initial reduction. It is dominated by ripe,
candied Garnacha alongside an array of red fruits and refined
herbaceous notes: strawberry tree fruit, prunes, pomegranate syrup, sloe
gin, resin, and birch sap. There is barely any trace of its aging, save
for a faint, almost imperceptible toasted nuance and a whisper of
vanilla in the background. Its lack of overt complexity is well
compensated by the sheer generosity of its fruit display, bearing a
resemblance to the Etiqueta Blanca from Marqués de Murrieta.
Palate:
Broad, thick, and generous in every sense. It is lively and possesses a
spirituous nuance without being heavy, accompanied by a certain
sweetness, spices, and refined bitter notes. Savory and packed with
reduced, acidic ripe fruit, it integrates nearly vegetal notes with
hints of old wood. The palate is polished yet retains a vigorous core
that keeps the ensemble vibrant. A very well-executed Viña Pomal.
Commentary:
This 1981 vintage highlights a profile where Garnacha takes the lead, offering a warmer and more Mediterranean character than other vintages of the same era. It is a savory, honest wine that prioritizes fruit intensity and drinkability over structural austerity. A beautifully resolved example of Bodegas Bilbaínas' traditional craftsmanship during a successful decade for Rioja.
This 1981 vintage highlights a profile where Garnacha takes the lead, offering a warmer and more Mediterranean character than other vintages of the same era. It is a savory, honest wine that prioritizes fruit intensity and drinkability over structural austerity. A beautifully resolved example of Bodegas Bilbaínas' traditional craftsmanship during a successful decade for Rioja.
Personal Score: 87
Tasting Group Average: 89
Tasting Group Average: 89
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