Marqués de Riscal
Rioja Gran Reserva 2018
Rioja
Marqués de Riscal is one of Spain’s most celebrated producers, with a persistent focus on quality both in the vineyard and the cellar. Founded in 1858, the winery is located in the village of Elciego, in Rioja Alavesa, where the vineyard elevation contributes to the Riscal wines’ trademark elegance. Riscal is one of the oldest wineries of the Rioja region, and was the very first to establish a winery in Rueda. The estate also proudly presides over the largest historical wine cellar in Europe, with a collection of every vintage dating back to the 1860s.
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 30-36 months, 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 hot, dry autumn gave way to a rainy winter. Budbreak in mid-April set a slightly delayed cycle. After summer storms, a cool, dry October harvest yielded healthy, high-quality grapes.
TASTING NOTE
Aromatic balsamic intensity finds balance with the lightly toasted aromas from the wine’s extended time in oak. Smooth, full, and harmonious on the palate with good concentration in the tannins and a round, spicy finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled steak, poultry, aged sheep's milk cheeses
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Tempranillo
Appellation
Rioja
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$83.99
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast - October 1, 2024 "This ruby-colored wine has a bouquet of wild blackberry, black olive paste and dried hillside herbs. A layer of velvety tannins swaddles flavors of black plum, raspberry, violet, cocoa bean and fresh sage that melt into a long, satisfying finish."
James Suckling - September 12, 2024 "Excellent depth and complexity here, starting from the nose that’s rather more introverted yet savory in nature, showing subtle vanilla spices, dried oranges, peppercorns, dark mushrooms and berries. Fluid, nicely fruity and intense, with fine spices and nice flesh in the middle. Lengthy finish, lasting for a minute. Drink or hold."
Wine Spectator - August 31, 2024 "A fragrant and enticing red, with a pleasing sense of restraint, layering fine, chalky tannins and refreshing acidity with flavors of black cherry tart, dried lavender, licorice, cured tobacco and fresh, loamy earth. Lightly spiced and lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2030."
Vinous - April 1, 2024 "The 2018 Gran Reserva Marqués de Riscal is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano, sourced from Rioja Alavesa. Displaying a garnet hue, the balsamic nose also features vanilla and cedar notes, accompanied by blackberry and herbal hints. Dry, juicy and bold on the palate, the fine-grained reactive tannins add texture to a clingy mouthfeel."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Baron de Chirel Blanco
Rioja
The first white wine ever released under the Barón de Chirel label, sourced from century-old bush vines in Rioja Alavesa. Rooted in ancient clay-limestone soils at elevation, these vines have spent over a century interplanted among the red varieties that define the appellation. Extreme vine age, deep root systems and minuscule yields deliver a concentration and sense of place that cannot be replicated. Production is extremely limited.
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.
