Remelluri Reserva 2011 ~ Rioja DOC

The story

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.

There is now a new wave of winemakers fighting back against the commercial style of Rioja and Telmo Rodriguez is at the forefront; I had the good fortune to meet him in February 2016 and 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 organic.

The wine

The 2011 vintage was a hot one so you would expect a wine bursting with fruit as this is. However Remelluri has managed to combine that earthy red fruit with rich spice and savouriness - and with amazing elegance. It's a complex Rioja Reserva and a refreshing acidity cuts thorugh the richness making it very drinkable indeed.

92 points     Robert Parker     Aug 2016

"Not far off from the phenomenal 2010, the 2011 Reserva was cropped from a much warmer and riper vintage and it shows. This is the cuvée that represents the house style and wants to showcase the landscape of their estate, blending grapes from their 108 hectares of vineyards located at altitudes ranging from 550 to 800 meters altitude, with vines aged between 35 and 80 years. It's mostly Tempranillo with some Garnacha and Graciano, fermented with natural yeasts and aged in barrel for some 16 months before being bottled. There are aromas of damson plums and plenty of spices, quite ripe and heady, a little cooked. The palate is lush and round with abundant, dusty tannins. This is a powerful vintage."

“Cherry, cranberry, menthol and loamy earth flavors mingle in this red, supported by firm tannins and balsamic acidity. On the rustic side, but has depth.”