Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2016

In 1970, Enrique Forner founded Marqués de Cáceres, a historic alliance between a two regions: La Rioja Alta and Bordeaux. Today it is the fifth generation of the Forner wine family, with Cristina Forner at the helm, continuing the tradition of producing top wines in La Rioja with its Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines. Marqués de Cáceres was one of the first Spanish wine brands to be imported into the USA, while back at home in Spain, the winery paved the way to the improvement of Rioja.       

Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva is made from a selection of small plots in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa producing low yields from older vineyards, which are hand-picked, plot by plot in October. The soils are mainly clayey-calcareous, and the grapes are Tempranillo and other local varieties. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, all the wines are transferred to barrels, and racked every 6 months. Aged for 24 to 26 months, depending on the origin of the vines and the types of barrel. New French oak barrels and second wine barrels are used. Finally the wine is aged for 4 years minimum before release.

Look for an intense, deep color revealing slightly reddish tints. A lovely, developed bouquet with smooth notes of complexity from careful aging, notes of ripe black fruit combined with fine, delicate wood. The wine reveals its complexity as it evolves, offering a spicy undertone and lactic notes with a harmonious structure. Consistent and balanced through time due to the good work of the winemaker and winegrower, this wine preserves all its harmony: a long, complex finish, sweet fruitiness and noble wood. Serve with meats, Latin fare, cured meats, cheeses, especially Manchego and Tres Leches, and dark olives. 

Marqués de Cáceres is a CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE and CERTIFIED VEGAN winery.