Winemaker Loli Casado
Winery Name Bodegas Loli Casado
Appellation Rioja Alavesa Reserva
Country Spain
Grape Varietal Tempranillo 90% Mazuelo 5% Graciano 5%
HISTORY
Founded in 1970 by Loli’s grandfather the vineyards now cover just over 40 hectares. The winery has found a balance between the traditional methods alongside more recent innovations.
TERROIR
The vines are planted on a very chalky clay soil. The temperature averages 12-13ºC and the annual rainfall is around 500 liters/m2. The area has a mixture of Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic influences with light rainfall due to the moist breezes in July and August. The vines are planted on south-facing slopes at an altitude averaging 700 meters.
VITICULTURE & VINIFICATION
This wine is only made in the finest vintages. The hand-picked grapes, from 60 to 80 year-old vines, are received at the winery, destemmed, and transferred to the fermentation tanks within 30 minutes after being picked, and are then fermented at a maximum temperature of 30ºC.
AGEING
The wine is aged in fine grained American oak casks (maximum age 6 years) for 48 months, and a further 18 months in the bottle.
VINTAGE
2001 in Rioja was a superb vintage that saw an ideal balance between strong yields and bold mature fruit. The Rioja DO recognized the strength of the 2001 vintage by classifying it as both “Outstanding” and “Superb” and it now looks to replace the stellar 1994 vintage as the benchmark for this region.
STYLE
Eye: Bright, intense cherry red.
Nose: Red fruits stand out (blackberry, redcurrant), with toasted and chocolate hints.
Palate: Well rounded, structured, and meaty. Fruity bouquet with aromas of blackberries and currants. Notes of toast and chocolate.
FOOD PAIRING
Delicious with red meats, poultry, meat stews and aged cheeses.
WHEN TO DRINK
Now and up to 10 years, all year long.
TECHNICALS
Alcohol: 13%, Total acidity: 5.4 g/l, PH: 3.40,
Residual sugar: 2.2 g/l
French Blonde 2008
Fe 2001
