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89POINTS
16¼/20
Finca La Emperatriz Rioja Crianza 2013
Rioja, SpainA mild, wet winter led to an early bud break followed by continuous rains throughout the growing season. Fungal diseases like mildew and oidium required immediate attention throughout the year, one that was salvaged by a warm, dry, September, at least at higher altitudes. In what is the real gift of bad years, the top two Finca Emperatriz wines were abandoned in 2013, leaving some of the best fruit to bolster the regular labels. The crianza is a blend of ten plots covered in large white pebbles to a depth of about 40cm. The vineyards, between 15 and 65 years old, are a mix of bush vines and trellis, yielding a respectably low 40 hl/ha. It’s 95 percent tempranillo with a bit of garnacha and viura, all aged 14 months in American (80 percent) and French (20 percent) barriques before spending another year in bottle. After all that, the wine is delicious. A classic mix of red and black fruit flavours with little, if any, obtrusive oak. The texture is dense but soft with more floral, mineral, red fruit that stay fresh through the finish. A perfect wine for chicken, turkey or pork dishes.Tasted: 11 January 2018Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| ON | $23.95 | 750ml | WineWire Online |
Blend: Tempranillo - Garnacha - ViognierUPC: 8436020260865
