2016 Reserva Remirez de Ganuza Rioja 0.75l

2016 Reserva Remirez de Ganuza - Rioja
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza was founded in 1989 by Fernando Remírez de Ganuza , who had previously worked for over 20 years as a vineyard broker in Rioja Alavesa. Through buying and selling old vineyards, he gained a deep understanding of the region's diverse terroirs . His intimate knowledge of the soils and locations flowed into the selection of old vines that now form the heart of the winery. The grapes for the 2016 Reserva come from Tempranillo vines over 60 years old, supplemented by small portions of Graciano and Mazuelo , which give the wines structure, freshness, and longevity. The vineyards are located at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria , where calcareous clay soils and the continental climate create ideal conditions.

Expansion:

The grapes were harvested by hand, rigorously selected, and processed using an innovative process that utilized only the ripest top shoulders for this wine. After fermentation, the blend ( 88% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano and Mazuelo ) aged for 26 months in barriques — 80% French and 20% American oak —and then spent several years in the bottle. This long maturation process combines classic Rioja tradition with modern approaches that emphasize precision and expressiveness.

Aroma & Taste:

In the glass, the 2016 Reserva presents an intense purple color. On the nose, a complex bouquet of ripe black fruits , spicy wood aromas, tobacco, smoke, and leather , with impressive freshness. On the palate, it is powerful and vibrant , with multi-layered aromas of fruit, spice, and a subtle smokiness . The tannins are polished and elegant, leaving a velvety mouthfeel and carrying into a long, intense finish . A Rioja that masterfully combines primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas.

Food recommendation:

This wine pairs perfectly with rosemary lamb chops , grilled beef , suckling pig , and even braised game . Mature Manchego or Ibérico jamón perfectly complement the complexity of this wine.

Special features of the 2016 vintage in Rioja:

2016 is considered a classic top vintage in Rioja: a cool, wet spring was followed by a long, stable summer with moderate temperatures, allowing for slower and more even ripening . The grapes achieved optimal phenolic ripeness with vibrant acidity. The wines of this vintage are characterized by elegance, balance, and exceptional ageability .

Conclusion:

The 2016 Reserva embodies the philosophy of Fernando Remírez de Ganuza , who founded the winery in 1989 and has since stood for uncompromising selection and innovative methods. Old vines from the Rioja Alavesa, the strict use of only the ripest grape shoulders , and long aging periods in barriques characterize a distinctive style that combines tradition and modernity. The result is a wine that combines classic Rioja characteristics such as long aging and complex tertiary aromas with a modern signature of precise fruit and elegant, polished tannins – and impressively confirms why Remírez de Ganuza is now one of the reference wineries in the Rioja Alavesa .