La Emperatriz Reserva

This Reserva is produced by the Finca La Emperatriz winery with grapes from the Rioja Alta region. To be specific, the fruit grows on five white-pebbled plots of vines, which goes towards explaining the wine’s elegance. These lands have few nutrients and the old (45 years old on average) bush vines have to struggle to dig deep in their search for water and food.

The fruit is usually harvested by hand in mid-October, and is basically the Tempranillo variety although a little Grenache, Macabeo (Viura) and Graciano are often included in the blend too. The must and skins undergo a cold maceration for two days before fermenting at a controlled temperature, and are then stood to age in French and American oak for 24 months.

The La Emperatriz Reserva is a distinguished wine, a measured wine with an intense cherry colour and brimming with typicity. Black fruits and oak come together in this wine in harmony, without repelling each other as often happens with Rioja Reservas. The wood leaves a trace of spices, such as pepper and vanilla, and toast which the fruit is happy to follow. Hints of mint and cocoa, lactic sensations and silky tannins from fine woods all join together to gift us with an elegant and discreet red Rioja wine. This wine will be loved by those who like Reservas and those who don't — it combines the drive of a Crianza with the depth of a Grand Reserva. A mixture of both the modern and classic; a wine to savour the excellence of top-quality, ripe, fresh fruit produced by the vineyards in the upper parts of the Rioja Alta (750 metres), while it maintains the seductive tertiary notes of classic Rioja Reservas, such as tobacco, orange peel, and liquorice.