Rioja Reserva

Miguel Merino
Spain
Rioja
2018

95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano grown in a 1960s vineyard on limestone soils. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in barrel with malolactic completed, and aged for two years in American oak (70% new with French oak "heads"), with racking every six months. Three years in bottle before releasing. 8,600 bottles produced.

 

94 points
"There used to be a marked difference between Miguel Merino's Reserva and Gran Reserva wines and his more modern Genérico releases, but not anymore. Sourced mostly from parcels on sandy soils, it's a blend of Tempranillo and 5% Graciano with refined tannins, subtle 85% new wood, notes of cinnamon and summer pudding and a lingering finish. 2024-28"
Tim Atkin,
Tim Atkin
Special Rioja Report 2024
94 points
"The more classical 2018 Reserva showed a textbook nose of cigar ash, pencil lead, tobacco and forest floor, tertiary and developed, with a polished palate. It's elegant, has typicity and is balanced and fresh, really impressive and clean. It matured in American and French oak barrels for 22 months and has been in bottle since August 2020, getting closer to the profile of a Gran Reserva. Impressive. 8,620 bottles produced. This is the first vintage of Miguel Merino Junior for this wine. Bravo!"
Luis Gutiérrez,
Wine Advocate
Feb 29, 2024

SKU/Code: 
DB4837-18
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Tempranillo