REMELLURI RIOJA RESERVA 2016

A serious Rioja from an ancient estate and a highly in-demand winemaker. Remelluri is the family estate of the well-known champion of Spanish wine, Telmo Rodrigues. With a focus on biodiversity and a certification pending, the bush-vine viticulture is based on the best of both ancient and modern organic practices, with a focus on local terroir as against established Rioja practice of large-scale blends. This Reserva from a warm year was sourced nearby to the estate, on nicely elevated sites on the borderlands of Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Here a meaningful richness and ripeness is achieved, but with classic dessert and savoury undertones against a nicely rustic structure. A Rioja of generosity and character, the Remelluri is well worth checking out.

94/100 Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage)
"The estate red 2016 Reserva comes from a late growing season and was produced with local varieties like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and others from their 86 hectares of vineyards at 590 to 805 meters in altitude on limestone, sandstone and marl soils. The grapes were picked late with good ripeness and health and fermented with natural yeasts in stainless steel and open-top oak vats and then matured in oak containers of different sizes for 20 to 21 months. These are more classical wines, with a more evolved nose, with high ripeness and some balsamic and medicinal notes. It has a dusty palate with Nebbiolo-like tannins. 300,000 bottles and 8,200 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2019." Drink 2022 – 2028