Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2018
Rioja DOCa – Rioja Alavesa, Spain 🇪🇸
Overview
A classic Gran Reserva blend of Tempranillo with a small percentage of Graciano, aged extensively in oak and bottle. The 2018 vintage delivers depth, elegance, and maturity without excess weight, a refined display of Rioja Alavesa pedigree.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, dried fig, redcurrant, and plum layered with cedar, leather, vanilla bean, clove, and cocoa. Subtle dried herbs and balsamic notes appear with air, adding savory complexity.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with silky, integrated tannins and balanced acidity. Supple, harmonious texture with a long, elegant finish that leans more refined than powerful.
Food Pairings
Roast lamb, duck breast, grilled ribeye, aged Manchego, or mushroom risotto.
Verdict
A beautifully composed Gran Reserva that blends classic Rioja maturity with freshness and finesse. Complex, layered, and quietly profound, more about harmony and nuance than sheer extraction.
Did You Know?
Gran Reserva wines represent only a small fraction of Rioja production and must undergo a minimum of 5 years of aging, including at least 2 years in oak and 2 years in bottle, resulting in their signature silky texture and developed aromatics. — a month ago
C'est chaleureux mais très très harmonieux — a month ago
Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2020
Rioja Alavesa DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸
Overview
A Crianza-level Rioja built for approachability, freshness, and everyday enjoyment. Predominantly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, aged briefly in oak to soften the edges while preserving fruit purity.
Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, raspberry, and plum with hints of licorice, vanilla, and subtle spice. Light herbal notes and soft oak support without dominating.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light body, juicy and vibrant with mild tannins and easy-going acidity. Friendly texture that drinks effortlessly, even slightly chilled.
Food Pairings
Tapas, grilled chicken, burgers, pizza, or chorizo, anything casual and flavorful.
Verdict
An easy-drinking, fruit-forward Rioja that embraces the modern, relaxed side of Rioja Alavesa. Fun, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing without trying too hard.
Did You Know?
Crianza wines are Spain’s most versatile category, requiring a minimum of 2 years of aging with at least 1 year in oak, striking the sweet spot between young fruit and gentle structure. — a month ago
Ericsson
Mariano García’s final vintage at Vega Sicilia. What a great bottle.
The nose opens with damp forest floor, leather, cedar, and quiet red fruit; subtle, reserved, endlessly composed.
On the palate, it’s silk laid gently over structure: dried cherry, tobacco, graphite, and savory earth carried by fine-grain tannins and measured acidity.
The finish reads like the final lines of a great novel: inevitable, complete, and exactly as it should be. And already, there’s a touch of nostalgia, because I don’t know when I’ll encounter something like this again. — 19 days ago