Pagos de Tahola Gran Reserva Rioja 2011

Gran Reservas are Spain’s most special wines – made with painstaking care in only the best vintages and released years later, at their delicious peak drinking window.

Naturally, we were thrilled when our good friend Ruth Chavarri offered us a small shipment of her Gran Reserva from the 2011 vintage – a year rated officially “excellent” by the local Consejo Regulador. Our excitement grew even further when France’s prestigious wine guide, Gilbert &Gaillard, rated it 93 points. And then we tasted it …

Crafted with 100% Tempranillo (hand-selected, one cluster at a time!) from the Chavarris’ Las Cañas vineyard in premium Rioja Alavesa, the wine was aged for six months in new French oak barriques. The team then transferred the wine to older barriques, where it spent a further 18 months. And after several years of patient bottle aging, it was released at peak deliciousness. (A previous release scooped up 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, who called it “classical Rioja.” And we think Ruth’s 2011 is every bit as excellent.)

Dark, cherry-red in color, with faint hints of garnet. A fresh and harmonious nose delivers notes of candied red fruit and spices, underscored by earthy minerality and vanilla bean. Look for flavors of roasted strawberry, black plum, and hints of mocha, plus a long, elegant finish … this cries out for a really special meal.

Only a small number of cases imported. And considering how popular Rioja is with our customers, prompt orders are encouraged.