Olagosa 2001 Gran Reserva

Wine: Olagosa 2001 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Perica (San Asensio, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo
ABV: 12.5% vol.

Winemaking:
Grapes sourced exclusively from estate vineyards in Rioja Alta: Finca Viña Olagosa (San Asensio) and Finca Zaco (Haro). Manual harvest in mid-October with double selection: in the vineyard and upon entry at the winery. Traditional vinification in 6,500-liter French oak vats for fermentation and stabilization. The wine matured for 28 to 30 months in 225-liter Bordeaux barrels, combining French and Eastern European oak, with two manual rackings per year. Limited production of 18,500 bottles. Minimum of 36 months of bottle aging before release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby color with medium-high depth; closed, dark, and more opaque than most of its peers from the same vintage. Vivid reddish reflections, brilliant and luminous. Broad orange rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.

 

Nose: Powerful and concentrated, opening with initial notes of India ink, overripe black fruit, and a vegetal background of withered flowers, tea leaves, and fibers (esparto, wicker). It possesses a robust intensity, leaning toward a more "modern" and extracted style than typically expected from a Riojan Gran Reserva. It unfolds steadily, revealing high-quality raw material and the house signature. Abundant spices, clove, and leather are present alongside pronounced roasted notes (charcoal, ash).

 

Palate: Tense and lively on the palate; concentrated with excellent acidity. The tannins remain marked and firm, suggesting they will round out beautifully with a few more years of cellaring. It appears to be on the verge of its optimal drinking window. Savory and broad, it is packed with an enormous amount of black fruit supported by high-quality aging. A well-crafted, carefully nurtured red of notable execution.

 

Commentary:
An interesting and affordable option that surprises with its current state of development; it feels remarkably "unfinished" for its age. This structural tension and fruit density are likely a testament to the exceptional potential of the 2001 vintage. A notable effort by Bodegas Perica.

 

Personal Score: 88
Tasting Group Average: 90