Wine: Berberana 1960 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Berberana (Ollauri, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura
ABV: 12% vol. (est.)
Winery: Bodegas Berberana (Ollauri, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, Graciano, and Viura
ABV: 12% vol. (est.)
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small producers near Ollauri. The wine initially spent 12 months in large old wooden vats (dating back to the winery's foundation) to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilization. It was then transferred to used 225-liter American oak barrels, where it matured for a minimum of 60 months. Subjected to manual barrel-to-barrel rackings each year. Lightly filtered and bottled during the first quarter of 1967. Aged for a minimum of 4 years in the bottle within the cellars of the old Ollauri winery before commercial release.
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small producers near Ollauri. The wine initially spent 12 months in large old wooden vats (dating back to the winery's foundation) to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilization. It was then transferred to used 225-liter American oak barrels, where it matured for a minimum of 60 months. Subjected to manual barrel-to-barrel rackings each year. Lightly filtered and bottled during the first quarter of 1967. Aged for a minimum of 4 years in the bottle within the cellars of the old Ollauri winery before commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Brownish-ruby color with medium depth; very clear and translucent.
Brilliant and clean, showing amber and coppery reflections, with a fine
sediment at the base. Broad, tile-colored (atejado) rim, showing no
difference from the meniscus.
Nose:
Decidedly classic Berberana: sober, orderly, and precise. Initially shy
but balanced, framed by fine vanilla and a subtle vegetal background of
cigar filler and cigar box. Light and of low intensity, yet elegantly
tailored. With time, it reveals notes of withered flowers, coffee beans,
and a delicate hint of old wood and high-quality "envinados"
(wine-soaked oak). Consistent with the winery's historic style.
Palate:
Dry, clean, and light-bodied. It is agile and far from being diluted or
weak. It possesses the charm of lightness, with a refreshingly low
alcohol content. With more time in the glass, it gains presence and
becomes spicier. While it may lack the flair of its "twin" Gran Reservas
from '58 and '59, together they form an irresistible trio.
Commentary:
A civilized Rioja red, the kind that is dearly missed today. It has settled on a plateau with no foreseeable decline; it does not seem like it will fade for many years to come. A highly reliable example of Berberana's golden era.
A civilized Rioja red, the kind that is dearly missed today. It has settled on a plateau with no foreseeable decline; it does not seem like it will fade for many years to come. A highly reliable example of Berberana's golden era.
Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 92
Tasting Group Average: 92
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