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SKU 1007823
$56.89/bottle
Out of stock
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There are not many Gran Reserva wines produced by small growers, and the 2019 Gran Reserva from Miguel Merino is one of them. It has finesse, harmony and balance, which was his goal here. It was produced with Tempranillo and a pinch of Graciano from vines on sandy soils in the lieux-dits of Bigorta and Resaco from Briones. The grapes fermented in a 5,000-liter stainless steel tank with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for three years. This is one for the long haul in this powerful and complete year, with elegance, ripeness without excess at 14.5% alcohol and fine, silky tannins. 4,170 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2022.
Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.
Region
La Rioja
La Rioja is by far the most famous wine region of Spain, and remains one of the world's great wine producing regions, consistently offering deep, complex red wines of character and distinction, partly due to the fact that La Rioja benefits from excellent soils, rich in minerals and nutrients, and plenty of sunshine. The climatic conditions allow the fine grape varietals to reach full ripeness and express plenty of the best features of their terroir, making La Rioja wines some of the most interesting to have ever come out of Europe. The Cantabrian mountains to the north provide the perfect shelter from the colder, wetter influences of the Atlantic oceans, and in the beloved vineyards of La Rioja, wineries have been cultivating exceedingly flavorful Tempranillo grapes for generations for the inclusion in their fine single variety and blended wines.
Appellation
Rioja
Rioja, a renowned wine appellation in Spain, stands as an emblem of the country's winemaking heritage and innovation. What makes Rioja unique is its commitment to blending traditional and modern winemaking methods. Primarily crafted from Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo as supporting players, Rioja wines showcase a remarkable balance of fruit, oak, and complex aging.
Rioja's classification system, featuring Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, delineates the aging periods, highlighting the region's dedication to quality. The use of American oak barrels imparts distinctive vanilla and coconut notes, contributing to Rioja's recognizable profile. The diverse terroir, from the high-altitude vineyards of Rioja Alta to the warmer Rioja Baja, adds depth and complexity to the wines.
Exploring Rioja allows enthusiasts to savor the rich tapestry of Spanish winemaking, where historic bodegas coexist with modern practices, resulting in wines that seamlessly marry tradition and innovation, offering a glimpse into the soul of Spanish viticulture.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
There are not many Gran Reserva wines produced by small growers, and the 2019 Gran Reserva from Miguel Merino is one of them. It has finesse, harmony and balance, which was his goal here. It was produced with Tempranillo and a pinch of Graciano from vines on sandy soils in the lieux-dits of Bigorta and Resaco from Briones. The grapes fermented in a 5,000-liter stainless steel tank with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for three years. This is one for the long haul in this powerful and complete year, with elegance, ripeness without excess at 14.5% alcohol and fine, silky tannins. 4,170 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2022.
VM94pts
Vinous Media
The 2019 Gran Reserva Miguel Merino is Tempranillo with 4% Graciano from Rioja. This aged for three years in barrels. The nose is complex, opening with fine oak and cedar layered over cherry, plum, subtle spice aromas and liqueur-like, jammy hints. Dry, full-bodied and enveloping, the tannins combine to deliver volume, juiciness and depth of flavor. Exceptionally expressive for an extensively aged red, this is a wine of precision, well-crafted in terms of grape selection, harvest timing and oak management.
Winery Notes
Rated 93 - Showing a little more new oak than the Reserva bottling, which I prefer, this is also a bolder and more structured red. Tempranillo and 5% Graciano provide the raw material here, with notes of forest floor, wood spices and firmish tannins complemented by savoury red berryflavours. - Tim Atkin
JD91pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Gran Reserva is lengthy and mineral-driven, juicy and supple in citrus and raspberry. The addition of 5% Graciano lifts and brightens the wine, which comes from some of the oldest vineyards in Briones planted to sandy soils, some of which date back to 1918. It is an elegant, full-bodied Gran Reserva in its youth, aged 36 months in French oak, two years in new and a third year in older barrels. Cohesive, well-integrated, and layered, it should age well another 10-15 years.
