Marqués de Riscal
Rioja Gran Reserva 2019
Rioja Gran Reserva DOCa
Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva is a timeless wine which represents almost two centuries of winemaking skill. It has the traditional style of the Rioja Alavesa, with an elegance to its complex concentration, and recalls the aspirations of the founders of the bodega back in the 19th century. It is the wine made today that is a direct link to the bottles found in Riscal’s historical cellar, the largest such cellar in Europe with a collection of over 140,000 bottles dating back to 1860. The experience and know-how of the bodega ensure that the best vintages of this wine will keep for 50 years or more in the bottle, their beauty preserved. A wine for eternity.
VINEYARD
For their Gran Reserva, Marques de Riscal works with vines that are over 80 years in age, from their vineyards and long term contracts they manage in the coolest area of Rioja (Rioja Alavesa), at elevation, on soils that bring freshness and detail to the natural concentration of the old vine fruit.
WINEMAKING
Starting with fruit from the exceptional old vine plots, grapes are sorted three times and an extremely gentle vinification is carried out. Riscal makes a final, strict selection of wines that have the complexity and age-worthiness to produce their Gran Reserva The wine passes into French oak barrels where it will spend between two and a half years, followed by another three years in bottle before its release. The aging process continues as gently as possible, with no pumps used during racking, for example, with the focus on preserving the wine’s freshness and detail.
VINTAGE
A warm autumn with minimal frost allowed vines to build reserves. Budburst began April 10; a minor May frost had little impact. Uneven fruit set led to loose clusters, reducing botrytis risk. Harvest started September 17 after light rain, with small, ripe berries. The vintage shows low pH and high acidity—ideal for aging and long-term bottle conservation.
TASTING NOTE
Expressive on the nose with notes of licorice, cinnamon and black pepper, with just a subtle hint of the long cask aging, thanks to its great complexity and ripe, concentrated fruit. Fresh and supple on the palate, with a good acid backbone.
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Tempranillo
Appellation
Rioja Gran Reserva DOCa
Alcohol
15%
Suggested Retail Price
$89.99
Reviews
Decanter - May 19, 2025 "A bold gran reserva with obvious but quality oak, chocolate and graphite notes and a stony freshness. It still displays layers of red berry and blueberry fruit with lots of spice, and has some grippy tannins. A youthful wine despite its age, it surely has a lot of life to come."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
XR Rioja Reserva
Rioja
A tribute to the long line of winemakers that presided over the cellars of Marqués de Riscal who, in Bordelaise tradition, would mark special barrels with “X R” for “Extra Reserva.” The first vintage released in 2015; a blend of Tempranillo with Graciano aged in American oak for over two years.
Verdejo Organic Rueda
Rueda
Marqués de Riscal was the pioneer in developing the Rueda region, as they saw an area with the soils, climate, and grape (Verdejo) to produce fresh, balanced white wines. This 100% organic wine comes from Riscal’s estate vineyards, is crafted with minimal intervention, and is an attractive and delightful wine that exhibits the classic aromatic intensity and bright acidity of the variety.
Frank Gehry Selection
Rioja
A wine destined to write some of the most beautiful pages of Rioja wine in the 21st century. It takes its name from one of the greatest architects of modern times and the creator of the emblematic Hotel Marqués de Riscal. From vineyards of over 80 years, the Frank Gehry Selección is a wine of pure hedonism. When it is made, production is between 3,000-5,000 bottles.
150 Aniversario Rioja
Rioja
Marqués de Riscal 150 Aniversario Gran Reserva is made only in exceptional vintages, celebrating the winery’s 150-year legacy and Rioja Alavesa’s winemaking tradition. Sourced from 80+ year-old, low-yielding vines, it delivers concentrated, expressive fruit. More powerful than classic Riojas, it remains elegant, resisting trends in favor of authenticity. Combining tradition and modernity, complexity and freshness, it stands as the truest expression of Rioja Alavesa.
Rioja Rosado
Rioja
Marqués de Riscal has produced outstanding rosé for over 60 years. Made from Tempranillo and Viura, this is the product of the young vines of the estate and has an uncommon combination of delicacy, freshness and refinement. Refreshing and with immediate appeal due to its natural fruitiness, the wine has lovely fresh flavors that unwind through its long, silky palate.
Baron di Chirel Rioja
Rioja
Born in 1986 from the Marqués de Riscal’s close relationship to some of the top winemakers in Bordeaux, the Barón de Chirel in many ways kicked off a new era of Rioja. Chosen from very old (80-110 years), low-yielding parcels of high-altitude Tempranillo and Cabernet vines around Elciego, these grapes undergo a meticulous process of selection before a special vinification process. The care that goes into this wine has cemented its prestige among discerning customers.
Arienzo Rioja Crianza
Rioja
Arienzo is a Crianza made from Tempranillo grown only in Rioja Alavesa, benefiting from the cooling effect of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, and making it Marqués de Riscal’s first Vino de Zona. It is also the remarkable result of Riscal’s own vineyards and long term contract vineyards they manage, from a combination of pre-1970 plantings and their revolutionary program of grafting high quality old vine material to younger vines. It is the purest essence of Rioja with the highest standards of quality, transcending the Crianza category.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja
The calling card of Marqués de Riscal and arguably the single, iconic representation of the Rioja region the world over. This Reserva wine is made exclusively - and remarkably - from Tempranillo vines planted at elevation before the 1970s, and grown in the best clay-limestone soils of the Rioja Alavesa. Riscal has, simply, the greatest collection of old vines in the world. This incredible material is then gently handled, and the trademark refined and seductive wine effortlessly gives pleasure on release and for years.
