Marques Del Silvo Reserva Rioja 2019

This is the “classic” model that we most often associate with Rioja; Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva is actually only about 100 years old, which is not long in a region with an industry established by the Romans. The style of extended aging began after phylloxera ravaged the vineyards of France, prompting many Bordeaux producers to cross the Pyrenees Mountains to start anew. Many found that the local Tempranillo and Garnacha benefited from longer time in oak barrels than was the norm in Bordeaux, leading to the establishment of these extended aging styles. Today, these are seen as the “classic” styles and, though aged for a long time, often offer great value—like this one.

The Marques de Silvo estate encompasses nearly 500 acres located a 30-minute drive from the regional capital of Logroño. All of their wines are produced from estate grapes, with their Gran Reserva coming from vines that are over 70 years old. The blend is mostly Tempranillo, with a small amount of Garnacha mixed in. This wine was aged for 30 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. Once bottled, it was held back an additional two years before release.

Due to its time in bottle, you will want to decant this wine for at least half an hour before serving. Once you do, the nose offers a complex combination of black pepper, dried cherry, toffee, milk chocolate, maduro cigar wrapper, and balsamic syrup. On the palate, it is deep and smooth, with a rich core of fruit framed by moderate wood tannins and a long finish. This wine is worthy of a special occasion with filet mignon or rack of lamb, but is affordable enough for meatloaf on a Thursday night.