Wine: Rioja Bordón 1975
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small producers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large wooden vats and concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation and stabilization before racking. It aged for 24 to 36 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels, with two manual rackings performed each year. Bottled during the first half of 1979. Aged for a minimum of 24 months in the winery’s bottle racks before commercial release.
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small producers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large wooden vats and concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation and stabilization before racking. It aged for 24 to 36 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels, with two manual rackings performed each year. Bottled during the first half of 1979. Aged for a minimum of 24 months in the winery’s bottle racks before commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Brownish-ruby color with medium depth; clear, limpid, and
sediment-free. Luminous and brilliant with reddish and orange
reflections. Broad, tile-colored (atejado) rim, showing almost no
difference from the meniscus.
Nose:
A Bordón that evolves from less to more. Initial sensations of ripeness
with red fruit in liqueur (maraschino cherry, prunes) and bitter orange
compote, followed by a very soft background reminiscent of cola candy.
Clean, airy, and restrained; balanced in every detail without a trace of
excessive oak or reduction. It fits the "clarete" profile of
Franco-Españolas: light-bodied yet capable of remaining firm over many
years. It gains presence with scented notes of withered petals, smoked
spices, and a hint of cocoa powder.
Palate:
Equally fine on the palate. It flows fresh and agile, with little
volume and a deceptive lightness that is anything but weak. Lively and
diaphanous, endowed with an acidity that provides just the right amount
of tension.
Commentary:
One cannot demand more from what was the winery’s basic wine. A reliable red, as pleasant as the company it was shared with. It is a shame that current Rioja Crianzas do not maintain this exceptional level of quality and longevity.
One cannot demand more from what was the winery’s basic wine. A reliable red, as pleasant as the company it was shared with. It is a shame that current Rioja Crianzas do not maintain this exceptional level of quality and longevity.
Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
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