Granja Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva 2014

Description

Rioja lovers beware; Granja Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 is an absolutely stunning Gran Reserva Rioja. The nose displays a complex array of aromas from ripe dark cherries, blackberries and plums with subtle vanilla, chocolate and cedary notes and delicate floral hints. On the palate Granja Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 reveals an excellent balance between fruit concentration and well-integrated light oak. Rich layers of black fruits, including blackcurrants and blackberries, dominate the palate accompanied by a touch of ripe red fruit. The aging in French oak barrels adds a touch of elegance and depth, infusing the wine with delicate flavors of tobacco, leather and a hint of spices. With a medium to full body and velvety tannins the wine has a luscious and smooth mouthfeel and a long and lingering finish.

There is now a new wave of winemakers fighting back against the commercial style of Rioja and Telmo Rodriguez is at the forefront;  the first time I met him, in February 2016, he told me that Rioja should not be a “recipe”, that there is fortunately no longer one style of Rioja as modern winemakers like him focus on the fruit, the ‘terroir’ and more traditional methods. Telmo has been described by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate as “Rioja’s number one Terroirist”. In this wine from old vines on the Remelluri estate owned by Telmo & his sister Amaia, Tempranillo grape is blended with a little Graciano and Garnacha (Grenache); minimal intervention is practised and the wine is certified organic. Rioja is one of two wine regions with Spain’s highest qualification level, DOC or DoCa, the other region being Priorat. There is so much Rioja on the UK market and much of it over-priced, overly sweet and over-oaked because that became the trend from the turn of the century. But there is a danger of the DOC qualification being devalued.

You can also send a bottle of Granja Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 as a gift.