Wine: Gran Condal Reserva de Añada Especial 1960 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Rioja Santiago (Haro, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 10% others
ABV: N/A
Winery: Bodegas Rioja Santiago (Haro, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 10% others
ABV: N/A
Winemaking:
Grapes were sourced entirely from long-term partner growers across the three sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. The wine rested for 12 months in large, century-old oak vats for fermentation and stabilization. It matured for 48 to 54 months in 225-liter used American (80%) and French (20%) oak barrels with an average age of 10 years. The wine underwent a provisional pre-encapsulation during its four-year bottle aging period in the winery’s historic cellars in Haro and Labastida before its commercial release.
Grapes were sourced entirely from long-term partner growers across the three sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. The wine rested for 12 months in large, century-old oak vats for fermentation and stabilization. It matured for 48 to 54 months in 225-liter used American (80%) and French (20%) oak barrels with an average age of 10 years. The wine underwent a provisional pre-encapsulation during its four-year bottle aging period in the winery’s historic cellars in Haro and Labastida before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Ruby-red with medium-low depth; limpid, translucent, and showing very
little color matter. Absolutely clear and free of sediment. Refulgent,
with amber and pomegranate iridescence. Broad, saffron-toned rim that blends into the meniscus.
Nose:
Low intensity upon opening, slightly woody with a discreet vegetal and
balsamic backdrop (ivy, sage) that gains presence with aeration. The
wine appears to have "anchored" itself years ago, showing little
movement. Subtle hints of vanilla and creaminess emerge intermittently.
Soft, pleasant, and discreet, without much power.
Palate:
Consistent with the nose: easy, approachable, and poised, with good
balance and full integration. The tannins are melted, nearly
imperceptible, yet it remains alive thanks to a thread of acidity.
Fresh, thin, and light-bodied, with no perceptible alcohol
heat—suggesting a very low ABV from the start. It possesses neither
great virtues nor significant flaws.
Commentary:
An atypical Rioja Santiago that aligns more with the definition of a clarete or a 3rd/4th-year wine than a Gran Reserva. While it bears little resemblance to the Gran Fino Enológica produced by the winery during those years, it has the remarkable virtue of having stood still in time. Some may find it simple or even lackluster, but it retains an undeniable charm and immense drinkability.
An atypical Rioja Santiago that aligns more with the definition of a clarete or a 3rd/4th-year wine than a Gran Reserva. While it bears little resemblance to the Gran Fino Enológica produced by the winery during those years, it has the remarkable virtue of having stood still in time. Some may find it simple or even lackluster, but it retains an undeniable charm and immense drinkability.
Personal Score: N/A
Tasting Group Average: N/A
Tasting Group Average: N/A
No comments:
Post a Comment