Wine: Viña Turzaballa 1999 Gran ReservaWinery: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao (Haro, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 13%
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 13%
Winemaking:
Manual harvest in mid-October from the estate's two oldest vineyards (over 75 years old) near Haro: Finca de la Turca and La Zaballa, owned by the family since the winery's foundation. The wine completed malolactic fermentation and stabilization in tanks before being racked. It matured for 40 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, with two manual rackings performed each year. Limited production of 102,000 bottles. It underwent a minimum of 40 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before release.
Manual harvest in mid-October from the estate's two oldest vineyards (over 75 years old) near Haro: Finca de la Turca and La Zaballa, owned by the family since the winery's foundation. The wine completed malolactic fermentation and stabilization in tanks before being racked. It matured for 40 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, with two manual rackings performed each year. Limited production of 102,000 bottles. It underwent a minimum of 40 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-ruby with medium-high depth; extracted, very dark, clean, and
free of sediment. Luminous with reddish and copper reflections. Broad
orange rim, sharply defined against the meniscus. Tinted tears. It
maintains great color stability, giving the clear impression of a much
more recent vintage compared to the winery’s historic releases.
Nose:
High-intensity and very spicy. It possesses a marked Mediterranean
character where aromatic herbs (rock tea, fenugreek, sage) meet Jamaican
pepper, clove, and ground laurel. This is joined by a wild, almost
balsamic edge of ivy, star anise, and liquorice root. The wine remains
somewhat constrained by the oak, which firmly structures the ensemble.
Even with aeration, it stays steadfast. A shy hint of red fruit
weathered by old leather and withered flowers eventually emerges in the
background.
Palate:
Medium-bodied and vibrant, driven by a surprising acidity, though the
ensemble remains somewhat resistant—firm and yet to be fully polished.
Marked tannins with a presence of bitters and fine toast. Broader than
it is long and well-structured.
Commentary:
A reliable red that will benefit from further cellaring. While clearly less "classic" than its predecessors, it remains a dignified product with full growth potential. It is a shame this label was discontinued, as it continues to represent a level of quality and potential far beyond the winery's current standard range.
A reliable red that will benefit from further cellaring. While clearly less "classic" than its predecessors, it remains a dignified product with full growth potential. It is a shame this label was discontinued, as it continues to represent a level of quality and potential far beyond the winery's current standard range.
Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
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