Marques Del Silvo Gran Reserva Rioja 2015

black pepper, dried cherry, toffee, milk chocolate, maduro cigar wrapper and balsamic syrup

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 and many Bordeaux producers crossed the Pyrenees Mountains looking to start anew. Many found the local Tempranillo and Garnacha benefited from longer time in oak barrels than was the norm in Bordeaux, and hence the extended aging styles began. Today these are seen as the “classic” styles and though aged for a long time often offer a great value, like this one.

The Marques de Silvo estate is almost 500 acres and is located only a 30 minute drive from the region capital of Logroño. All of their wines are produced from their estate grapes with their Gran Reserva coming from 70+ year old vines. The blend is mostly Tempranillo with a small amount of Garnacha mixed among the vines. Aging for this wine was 30 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. Once bottled the wine was held back an additional 2 years before release.

Due to the time in bottle you will want to decant this wine for at least a half 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 Thursday night.