2010 La Tercera Rioja Reserva

Silencing the Spanish Wine Critics: 93pt Rioja Reserva in Parker’s 95pt Vintage

For nearly three years, readers had been filling our inboxes with complaints about the dearth of Spanish reds on WineAccess. With the release of the 2010 Rioja vintage, rated 95 points by The Wine Advocate, it was finally time to silence our critics.

If one was to write a perfect vintage Rioja script, you’d be hard-pressed to compose a more compelling mise-en-scène than 2010.

The 2010 growing season began with a very cold and wet winter, something the septuagenarians of the region claim is ideal for Tempranillo. As the cold killed vine pests, the dampness made for a high water table, essential for fending off hydric stress during the hot Spanish summers. July and August were torrid, bathing the high-elevation vineyards in sun as steady breezes cleansed the vines. In September, the sun continued to shine but, as if on cue, the temperature dropped. Cool nights slowed down the maturation process, allowing the vineyard crew at La Tercera to postpone the call to pick for nearly three weeks. As sugars continued to climb incrementally, seeds browned and tannins softened. Harvest was conducted at a leisurely pace under turquoise skies, as nights stayed cool and crisp.

Both The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator showered glowing reviews on what many are calling Rioja’s finest vintage in 50 years. Still, only one under-$20 Rioja Reserva would garner 93 points from Mr. Parker. This one.

The 2010 La Tercera Rioja Reserva is a masterful blend of 90% darkly muscled Tempranillo and 5% each of more floral Graciano and Grenache. Aged for 30 months in French oak before bottling, the nose features a textbook Rioja mix of black raspberry, black cherry, tobacco, and graphite. Intensely concentrated, dense, and compact, filled with a juicy mix of crushed red and black fruits, finishing with terrific tension and length. Drink now-2022.

93 points from The Wine Advocate. $18.50 today on WineAccess. The last 1,200 bottles of our allocation just hit port. Shipping included on 6.

• ABV 13.50%
• Enjoy right away
• % Tempranillo