Wine: Faustino I 1976 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 15% Mazuelo
ABV: N/A
Winery: Bodegas Faustino Martínez (Oyón, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 15% Mazuelo
ABV: N/A
Winemaking:
The wine spent 16 months in concrete tanks and large, seasoned oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilization. It then matured for 24 to 30 months in used 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French and Yugoslavian) with an average age of 15 to 16 years. Bottled in the winery’s signature frosted glass, it underwent a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the cellars before its commercial release.
The wine spent 16 months in concrete tanks and large, seasoned oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilization. It then matured for 24 to 30 months in used 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French and Yugoslavian) with an average age of 15 to 16 years. Bottled in the winery’s signature frosted glass, it underwent a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the cellars before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Brownish-ruby with medium depth; open and very clear. Displays amber
and reddish reflections with a very fine sediment at the base. Broad,
tawny rim, showing little contrast against the meniscus.
Nose:
High-intensity aromatics. Abundant notes of dried fruits, apricots,
orange marmalade, caramelized sugar, and pastry cream are joined by
sweet spices (vanilla, nutmeg). A soft framework of aged, lightly
toasted wood remains in the background. Highly mature, revealing hints
of fruit in liqueur, fungal undertones, and forest floor. As it
breathes, it evolves toward tanned leather, game, varnishes, and a more
pronounced sense of smoked spices. Complex, classic, and fully poised.
Palate:
Initially surprising due to its contrast with the nose. It is dry and
light-bodied, driven by a vibrant acidity that seems to intensify with
aeration, carrying high-quality bitters and spicy red fruit.
Well-structured by its oak aging, it features burnished tannins and is
exceptionally easy to drink, though its overall profile remains
difficult to categorize.
Commentary:
A Faustino that bears little resemblance to previous vintages, which typically followed a more uniform pattern. Alongside the 1978 Gran Reserva, this 1976 appears to signal a certain shift in the winery's stylistic direction. A distinctive and complex bottle that merits careful attention.
A Faustino that bears little resemblance to previous vintages, which typically followed a more uniform pattern. Alongside the 1978 Gran Reserva, this 1976 appears to signal a certain shift in the winery's stylistic direction. A distinctive and complex bottle that merits careful attention.
Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 89
Tasting Group Average: 89
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