2005 Rioja Gran Reserva

The 2005 Gran Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano and 2% Mazuelo from their own vineyards as well as from grapes purchased from vine growers in the Rioja Alvesa area. They only include fruit from over 80-year-old vines in this wine, which ages for 32 months in oak barrels and another three years in bottle before being released. It is still quite dark and unevolved, showing notes of dark cherries, plums and plenty of spices, hinting at leather and truffles. The palate starts showing classical flavors of aged Rioja and comes through as a powerful traditional wine. Drink 2014-2022. Marques de Riscal purchased the vineyards (300 hectares) and the brand Marques de Arienzo from Pernod-Ricard just before the 2010 harvest (the rest of the vineyards and the winery were acquired by Bodegas Muriel). They have renamed the wine Arienzo de Marques de Riscal, which might be a little confusing for consumers. But the bigger news is that the improvements in viticulture in the last few years can be appreciated in the wines from the 2010 vintage, which I had the chance to preview in a visit to the winery just before joining The Wine Advocate. The style for Marques de Riscal has always been for powerful wines that were bottled and released much earlier than the rest of wines from Rioja following the Bordeaux model. Imported by Southern Wine & Spirits; www.southernwine.com