Marqués de Riscal - Rioja Baron de Chirel 2018

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. 

Today, Riscal owns 540 hectares of vineyards in the sub-area and controls another 900 in the surrounding regions — an impressive amount, considering that all vineyards are under direct management by the estate to ensure the highest possible farming standards. Extensive grafting of select old vines onto young rootstock (a massive undertaking) has ensured that only the most exceptional fruit is produced in each vineyard.

A visit to Rioja would not be complete without experiencing Marqués de Riscal’s world-renowned “City of Wine,” featuring three on-site restaurants (one with a Michelin star) and a luxurious spa, all overseen by the colorful curves of the Frank Gehry-designed hotel that forms part of the estate.

Each plot ferments separately in French Allier oak vats. These fine-grained vessels hold the wine as it completes malolactic conversion, after which the wine is transferred to French Allier oak barrels where it ages for 16 months. After bottling, it rests for another 20 months before release.

“This deep garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of cassis, Mission fig, dark chocolate and saddle leather. Luxurious tannins coat the tongue and gums, bathed in vibrant acidity and joined by blackberry, Luxardo cherry, chocolate-covered espresso bean and violet flavors with a soft hint of black olive paste that lingers on the tastebuds with a note of orange zest. Drink through 2048.” - 97 Points, Wine Enthusiast

“Serious in style with crunchy cranberry, strawberry, cedar and toast on the nose and palate. It has fine-grained, well-integrated tannins and a chocolately, spicy sign off.” - 96 Points, Wine Spectator 

“Quite youthful for a Rioja such as this full of plums, black walnuts, dark spices, mocha and mineral. Tannic but fine-grained on the palate with a medium to full body and a lengthy finish.” - 94 Points, James Suckling 

Producer: Marqués de Riscal

Country: Spain

Region: La Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo

Appellation: La Rioja

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml