XR Reserva La Rioja DOCa - Marqués de Riscal

The XR Reserva La Rioja from Marqués de Riscal is a Spanish red wine from the famous wine-growing region of Rioja, vinified from the classic Spanish red varieties Tempranillo and Graciano.

XR, which traditionally stands for wines with special characteristics. In the past, winemakers marked the corresponding selected barrels with the letters XR. Marqués de Riscal has taken up this old tradition again with his Reserva, and so the XR Reserva La Rioja was created.

In the glass, the Spanish red wine impresses even before you put your nose to the bouquet. Its color is such an intense cherry red that you want to dip a brush into it and paint pictures with it. Once you've had half your fill, you can dip your nose into the glass and take one, two or even three deep breaths of WR Reserva La Rioja. The olfactory receptors are instantly beguiled by so much aromatic richness, enriched with - matching the color - black cherry, morello cherry and plum, plus expressive secondary aromas of licorice, cinnamon and some black pepper. Tertiary notes are added by subtle notes of wood from the 24-month barrel aging.

Despite the fact that the Marqués de Riscal XR Reserva La Rioja appears very mature and concentrated, it is fresh and balanced on the palate, full-bodied and elegant. Aromas of dark berries are complemented by delicious chocolate and spicy licorice, plus some cinnamon and black pepper again. The barrel aging contributes gentle balsamic tones, the tannins pleasantly accompany, the finish is long.

Climate and Terroir

Rioja, with its calcareous soils, is known and famous worldwide, being a wine-growing area particularly favored by climate and geology. The Cordillera Cantabrica protect the valley from humidity and cold from the north. The heat from the south is in turn slowed down by the Sierra de la Demanda.

Vinification of the Marqués de Riscal XR Reserva La Rioja

The basis for the powerful XR Reserva La Rioja from Spain are grapes from the grape varieties Graciano and Tempranillo. In Rioja, the vines that produce the grapes for this wine grow on soils of limestone. Of course, the XR Reserva La Rioja is also determined by more than just the Rioja DOCa soil. This Spaniard can be described as an Old World wine in the best sense of the word, with an exceptionally complex presentation. The fact that the Graciano and Tempranillo grapes thrive under the influence of a warm climate also has a considerable influence on the maturity of the vintage. This manifests itself, among other things, in particularly well ripened grapes and rather high alcohol content in the wine. After the hand harvest, the grapes are immediately taken to the winery. Here they are selected and carefully broken up. Fermentation then takes place in small wood at controlled temperatures. Fermentation is followed by aging for 24 months in American oak barrels. Once the wine is finished, the XR Reserva La Rioja is carefully harmonized.

Food recommendation for the Marqués de Riscal XR Reserva La Rioja

This Spaniard is best enjoyed tempered at 15 - 18°C. It is perfect as an accompanying wine to leek soup, vegetable couscous with beef meatballs or veal boiled beef with beans and tomatoes.

Awards for the XR Reserva La Rioja from Marqués de Riscal

This wine from the Rioja DOCa not only inspires us, no, also renowned wine journalists awarded him with 90 points and more. Among the ratings can be found for the vintage 2016

• Guía Proensa - 95 points
• Guía Peñín - 93 points
• James Suckling - 93 points
• Mundus Vini - Gold

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