Wine: Coto de Imaz 1995 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas El Coto (Oyón, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 12.5%
Winery: Bodegas El Coto (Oyón, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced entirely from estate vineyards in Cenicero (Rioja Alta), with yields below 4,000 liters per hectare. The wine spent 12 months in stainless steel tanks for fermentation and stabilization before oak aging. It matured for 24 months in 225-liter American oak barrels of various ages. Traditionally fined with fresh egg whites. Aged for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s cellars before its commercial release.
Grapes sourced entirely from estate vineyards in Cenicero (Rioja Alta), with yields below 4,000 liters per hectare. The wine spent 12 months in stainless steel tanks for fermentation and stabilization before oak aging. It matured for 24 months in 225-liter American oak barrels of various ages. Traditionally fined with fresh egg whites. Aged for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s cellars before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Reddish color with medium depth; very clear, translucent, and
brilliant. Limpid and free of sediment. Refulgent with vibrant orange
and pomegranate reflections. Broad, tawny (atejado) rim with almost no contrast against the meniscus. Notable sense of viscosity with dense, persistent legs.
Nose:
A wine that demands extreme patience—it required nearly five hours of
aeration to fully unfurl. It is initially dominated by an "artillery" of
dairy notes, sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla), creamy oak, and
coconut. This is one of the few older vintages where decanting is highly
recommended. Once the initial oak influence recedes, it reveals a riper
profile: red fruit in liqueur, orange peel, leather, red liquorice, and
toasted notes. This is set against a wild backdrop of laurel, berries,
sage, and aromatic herbs. Classical in style and very smooth.
Palate:
Silky, exceptionally polished, and "ultra-rounded." It features a
marked sweetness and creamy character (vanilla, wood, stewed fruit). The
tannins are nearly faded and fully melted, yet a lingering breath of
acidity provides the necessary life to the ensemble.
Commentary:
This 1995 exemplarily showcases El Coto’s signature style of extreme roundness, which at times nearly blurs the wine’s individual identity. It is technically correct and smooth, though it prioritizes approachability over structural tension.
This 1995 exemplarily showcases El Coto’s signature style of extreme roundness, which at times nearly blurs the wine’s individual identity. It is technically correct and smooth, though it prioritizes approachability over structural tension.
Personal Score: 85
Tasting Group Average: 86
Tasting Group Average: 86
No comments:
Post a Comment