Wine: Bodegas Palacio 1935 Reserva Especial
Winery: Bodegas Palacio (Laguardia, Álava)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, and others
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Palacio (Laguardia, Álava)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, and others
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winemaking:
Grapes purchased from small producers in Rioja Alavesa within a 15-kilometer radius of the winery. The wine spent 12 to 24 months in large old wooden vats from the winery's early years to complete fermentation and stabilization. It was manually racked and matured for 60 to 72 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels and other capacities. Subjected to several manual barrel-to-barrel rackings each year until bottling. Minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the old founding cellars in Laguardia before commercial release.
Grapes purchased from small producers in Rioja Alavesa within a 15-kilometer radius of the winery. The wine spent 12 to 24 months in large old wooden vats from the winery's early years to complete fermentation and stabilization. It was manually racked and matured for 60 to 72 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels and other capacities. Subjected to several manual barrel-to-barrel rackings each year until bottling. Minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the old founding cellars in Laguardia before commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Brownish-ruby color with medium-low depth; clear, faded, and with very
little coloring matter. The initial impression suggests a wine weighed
down by years and fatigue. Brownish and amber reflections, low gloss,
matte. Broad, fully tile-colored (atejado) rim, with no visible
difference from the meniscus.
Nose:
Far from tired! Settled and integral, initially showing a very fine
animal-style reduction (old leathers, musk, stable, horsehair, wet fur)
that mingles with aged wood and notes of rackings. It possesses a marked
traditional Riojan style that deepens with aeration, becoming earthier,
broader, and more balsamic, with an almost resinous background hint.
Deep and pure!
Palate:
Comes with all the "standard features": a velvety texture, full
balance, roundness, good acidity, and spectacular tannins—as soft as a
sofa. It is absolutely sapid and filled with earthy flavor. It fully
deserves the "Reserva Especial" designation on its label.
Commentary:
A great wine from the Palacio family, hailing from the era when they produced their finest wines before the Civil War disrupted production. It is a remarkable survivor that defies its visual appearance with incredible structural integrity.
A great wine from the Palacio family, hailing from the era when they produced their finest wines before the Civil War disrupted production. It is a remarkable survivor that defies its visual appearance with incredible structural integrity.
Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Average: 94
Tasting Group Average: 94
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