A profound, modern Rioja made from 93% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano and 3% skin extract of Viura and Malvasia. From 60-year-old vines and 26 months in new French barriques, it yields a wine of rare density and elegance.
Bottler: Remírez de Ganuza, Constitución 1, 01307 Samaniego-Alava / Spain
In the glass
Colour
Deep, opaque black-red, dense right to the rim.
Nose
Seductive notes of sweet blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, coconut, dark plum compote and oriental spices such as cinnamon, clove and cardamom.
Palate
Ripe, polished tannins, lively acidity and delicate fruit sweetness; on the long finish, coconut and vanilla reappear – pure exoticism with freshness and structure.
Character
A modern, charming Rioja of great density and freshness, combining elegance with power and gaining additional complexity from the magnum format.
Pairing
Oriental lamb shanks with barberries, beef goulash with lemon emmer or tacos with sweet plum and pak choi.
Notes
The grapes come from Remirez de Ganuza’s meticulous plot selection, with vines averaging 60 years of age. The 26-month maturation in new French barriques and the magnum bottle lend this 2013 exceptional depth and ageing potential.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Deep, opaque black-red, dense right to the rim – a wine that already delivers on its promise in the glass.
Nose
Seductive, almost opulent: sweet blackberries and blueberries meet vanilla, coconut and dark plum compote. Alongside these, oriental spices – cinnamon, clove, cardamom. Despite all its density, the aromatics remain clear and elegant, with a remarkable freshness that balances the richness.
Palate
On the palate, the 2013 reveals why Remírez de Ganuza ranks among the pioneers of modern Rioja. The tannins are ripe and polished, the acidity lively enough to lend structure to the opulent fruit. A delicate fruit sweetness dominates without ever feeling heavy – a precisely crafted wine that effortlessly unites power and grace.
Finish
Long and marked by exotic notes: coconut and vanilla linger, carried by that saline minerality bestowed by the limestone soils of Rioja Alavesa.
Terroir & origin
The grapes come from vines averaging 60 years of age, grown on around 80 hectares across 70 sites in nine villages of Rioja Alavesa. The limestone soils impart the characteristic minerality to these Tempranillo wines. Fernando Remírez de Ganuza, who founded the estate in 1989, knew every vineyard site from his former career as a vineyard broker – this knowledge is captured in every drop.
Grape varieties & vinification
93% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, plus an extract from the skins of Viura and Malvasia (3%). The vines average 60 years of age. Maturation took place over 26 months in new French oak barriques – a vinification focused on precision: in 1989, Fernando Remírez de Ganuza built Spain’s first mechanical sorting table and has since rigorously separated grape shoulders from tips.
Food pairings
Rich meat dishes are its natural match: oriental lamb shanks with barberries and basmati rice mirror its spiced aromatics, while beef goulash with lemon emmer and beetroot echoes its depth. Also an exciting choice with tacos filled with sweet plum and pak choi.
Special notes
The magnum format grants this 2013 additional maturation time – and it has earned every moment. A Rioja that perfectly illustrates the house’s modern style: opulent yet never cumbersome, exotically spiced yet always precise. Be sure to decant and enjoy from a large glass.
