Wine: Ramón Bilbao 2001 Gran ReservaWinery: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5% vol.
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5% vol.
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced exclusively from estates near Haro (Las Arogues, La Llana, and San Prudencia) in Rioja Alta. Manual harvest during the second week of October. Selection of the best clusters upon arrival at the winery, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Aged in new and used 225-liter American oak barrels for 30 months, with several annual rackings. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before release.
Grapes sourced exclusively from estates near Haro (Las Arogues, La Llana, and San Prudencia) in Rioja Alta. Manual harvest during the second week of October. Selection of the best clusters upon arrival at the winery, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Aged in new and used 225-liter American oak barrels for 30 months, with several annual rackings. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Reddish-ruby color with medium-high depth, slightly lighter than the
Viña Turzaballa from the same vintage. Extremely clean, sediment-free,
and brilliant. Radiant with amber and coppery reflections. Broad,
tile-colored (atejado) rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Nose:
High initial presence; energetic, showy, and open. It offers a torrent
of black and red fruit over a subtle background of creamy toast and
faint hints of wine-soaked staves. Notes of licorice, balsamics, burnt
coffee, and charcoal fade as it breathes. It opens and softens, becoming
spicier with sweet notes of blonde tobacco, quince, cherries in
liqueur, leather, and vanilla, eventually settling into earthy and smoky
tones.
Palate:
Maintains the structure observed in previous years: concentrated, dry,
dense, and solid. Well-woven, though not yet fully integrated; however,
its marked acidity suggests it has plenty of time to do so. Tannins are
present and lively, with high-quality oak that has not yet overshadowed
the liqueur-like fruit. Savory, full, broad, and energetic.
Commentary:
A solid Gran Reserva proposal from Ramón Bilbao that provided the perfect counterpoint to the ultra-classic (and now discontinued) Viña Turzaballa. It will be worth waiting a few more years before revisiting this wine.
A solid Gran Reserva proposal from Ramón Bilbao that provided the perfect counterpoint to the ultra-classic (and now discontinued) Viña Turzaballa. It will be worth waiting a few more years before revisiting this wine.
Personal Score: 88
Tasting Group Average: 86
Tasting Group Average: 86
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