Marques De Riscal, Gran Reserva, 2018

Ageing
28 months in French oak casks.

To make this wine, Marqués de Riscal use grapes from old vines over 80 years old, from their own estate vineyards as well as bought in from local growers who they have worked with for generations.
The wine destined for making the Gran Reserva is set aside after the final coupages and passes into French oak barrels where it will spend between two and a half and three years, followed by another three years in bottle before its release.

Vintage 2018
The autumn was hot and dry but with the arrival of winter this changed and there was frequent rainfall.
Budbreak occurred in mid April, a little later than average.
This small delay was maintained throughout the growing cycle.
At the end of May, there were frequent showers but these did not have an effect on flowering, which in the Ebro valley began in early June.
During the first part of the summer there were frequent storms, so extra care had to be taken to prevent fungal diseases. Véraison began at the beginning of August.
In mid September there were considerable amounts of rainfall which put back the start of the harvest. This took place at the beginning of October and proceeded in dry, cool conditions and was conducted with careful selection of plots.
The resulting harvest was characterised by good yields and excellent state of health.

Eye
Intense black-cherry colour with violet hues.
Nose
It expresses its complex, balsamic, aromatic intensity, in perfect balance with the fruit and the lightly toasted aromas which recall fine oak.
Palate
It is smooth and full, in harmony with the fruit, with good concentrated tannins, round and with a long finish

Serving and Pairing
Recommended serving temperature between 16ºC and 18°C.
This wine pairs well with ham, mature cheese, red meat, all kinds of roasts and game casseroles.