Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2017

In 1970, Enrique Forner founded Marqués de Cáceres, a historic alliance between a two regions: La Rioja Alta and Bordeaux. Today it is the fifth generation of the Forner wine family, with Cristina Forner at the helm, continuing the tradition of producing top wines in La Rioja with its Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines. Marqués de Cáceres was one of the first Spanish wine brands to be imported into the USA, while back at home in Spain, the winery paved the way to the improvement of Rioja. 

This Reserva is made of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha tinta and 5% Graciano, de-stemmed grapes, from a selection of parcels from 25-35 year-old vineyards, located in Rioja Alta (85%) and Rioja Alavesa (15%). Low Yielding vineyards are planted on mostly clay and limestone soils with ferrous subsoil. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, split equally between brand new barrels and two & three-year old barrels, this has a depth of blackcurrants coming through on the nose with toasted notes, refined oak and sweet spices. Rich and luscious in the mouth with delicious fruit and ripened tannins that blend in harmony with a dense structure. This is a Reserva of superb finesse and complexity. Serve with meats, Latin fare, cured meats, cheeses, especially Manchego and Tres Leches, and dark olives.