Roda I Reserva Rioja 2012 6 Litre

Roda I Reserva 6 Litre, Rioja, Spain, 2012  

96% Tempranillo with 4% Graciano. Aged in 50% brand new and 50% second use, French oak barrels. 16 months in barrels and 20 months cellaring in bottle. 

Deep red, bright and brilliant colour, with a light red colour background. The nose is very expressive of live red fruit. Sensations of fresh cherry, light spices and some earthy wet notes. The palate exhibits medium volume, light but fresh, red fruit, fine tannins. Very delicate and very long.  

"Even if 2012 was extremely dry and somewhat warm, the 2012 Roda I feels fresher than the 2011 I tasted next to it. 2012 was also an early harvest, up to 15 to 20 days earlier than 2010. This is more or less the same blend, mostly Tempranillo with some 4% Graciano, fermented with indigenous yeasts. The élevage was in new and second use French oak barrels and lasted for 16 months. It has a more developed and classical nose, with some hints of leather and graphite, black fruit and spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied and ripe without excess, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. A powerful Roda I."

93+/100 points, Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate, June 2019

Serve at room temperature with venison medallions and puréed winter root vegetables.