Marqués De Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 2012 (Spain)

Description

Oak, Plum, Spice

Deep colour with slightly brick-red rim. Complex bouquet with balsamic and fine wood notes. Full on the palate with ripe plum and sweet spices and roasted notes. It maintains the freshness of a discreet vivacity that promises excellent ageing potential. It´s flavoursome, full-bodied with a persistent finish. This Gran Reserva refreshes the traditional style of our D.O.

A red blend of 85% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha Tinta and 7% Graciano. Special selection of vineyards in Rioja Alta of between 65 and 85 years. Very low yields due to the scarce age and vigour of the vines, being between 3,000 and 4,500 kg/ha. Primarily Tempranillo, from vineyards at various altitudes (from 400 to 620 metres) in Cenicero, Elciego and Laguardia, providing complexity due to the different soils. The Garnacha Tinta comes specifically from high and late vineyards in Rioja Alta, achieving finesse and freshness as well as structure. The Graciano is harvested mainly in Elciego,.achieving its singular characteristics of a delicacy, acidity, liveliness and colour.

100% manual harvest. Recollection dates are rigorously decided according to the ripeness of each plot, the area they´re in and the variety. Alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature. Prolonged maceration with the skins, but without astringency, in order to extract more colour, aromas and tannic structure. Malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels. Once the process is complete, the wines are transferred to barrels which are racked every 6 months. The total time the wine spends in barrels is 24-26 months, depending on the origin of the vineyards and the proportion of new French oak barrels are being used for their first or second wine. Wine ages for 4 years minimum in bottle before release.