Marqués de Riscal : Reserva 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Reserva 2021 from Marqués de Riscal

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an intense, deep and brilliant dark cherry color.

Nose

Highly expressive, the nose reveals aromas of licorice, cinnamon and black pepper. Ripe dark fruit notes add complexity and concentration, while the extended oak aging manifests with subtlety, allowing the richness of the fruit to fully express itself.

Palate

Fresh, the palate impresses with its fine structure and polished, silky tannins. The balance between vivacity and roundness defines this elegant palate. The long, lingering finish leaves delicate balsamic notes that attest to the wine's outstanding quality.

Food and wine pairings

This Reserva 2021 pairs ideally with Iberian ham, aged cheeses and grilled or roasted red meats. It also goes beautifully with moderately spiced stews, legumes and poultry.

Serving and storage

The Reserva 2021 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2031, or even beyond depending on storage conditions.

An elegant Reserva from Rioja Alavesa by Marqués de Riscal

The estate

Founded in 1858 by Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga, Marqués de Riscal is a historic producer from La Rioja. A pioneer in introducing Bordeaux winemaking methods to Spain, the estate was the first in the region to bottle its wines as early as 1862. Still family-owned, Marqués de Riscal cultivates approximately 890 hectares of vines. The estate is regularly praised by international critics for the quality of its wines and its exceptional wine tourism experience. Its architecture designed by Frank Gehry and its commitment to organic viticulture make it an essential benchmark.

The vineyard

The Reserva 2021 comes exclusively from old vine plots planted before the 1970s in Rioja Alavesa. These historic vines thrive on clay-limestone soils characteristic of the region, providing an ideal balance between water retention and drainage. These exceptional terroirs, located in the Elciego area, benefit from the influence of the Sierra Cantabria and impart to the grapes the complexity and aging potential that have made the great wines of Rioja famous.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Rioja Alavesa began with beneficial autumn and winter rainfall, replenishing water reserves after several years of drought. An exceptionally mild February triggered early bud break at the beginning of April. Moderate frosts in April affected some plots without major impact. Flowering took place at the end of May, followed by a very rainy June that required rigorous disease management. The dry summer concentrated the aromas, before rain in early September delayed the harvest to September 16. Warm, dry harvesting conditions yielded perfectly healthy grapes with excellent color concentration and remarkable balance.

Winemaking and aging

After fermentation at controlled temperature, the Reserva 2021 underwent a twelve-day maceration for optimal extraction of phenolic compounds. The wine was then aged for approximately twenty-four months in American oak barrels, imparting characteristic notes of vanilla and spice. A minimum of one year's rest in bottle before release allowed the wine to refine its complexity and harmonize all of its components.

Grape varieties

Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.