Hermanos Hernáiz Finca Emperatriz Gran Vino Tinto 2016

Description

The top red is the 2016 Finca la Emperatriz Gran Vino Tinto, the finest and most elegant red I remember tasting from the property. It's a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 28% Garnacha and 2% Viura, where Garnacha and the white Viura have an important role to provide some acidity and freshness, even in a cool year when the wines had more natural freshness than in previous vintages. It's a selection from the older vines on sand, gravel and boulder limestone soils from La Emperatriz estate, and it fermented destemmed with some 60% uncrushed grapes in concrete vats and matured in 60% new French barriques and the rest in used American oak barrels for 18 months. It's classical Rioja but with clean and precise aromas and flavors, still young. Drink date: 2019-2036. Score - 94. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, June 28, 2019)

Tags

Full-bodied & Smooth, Red Wine, Tempranillo Blend, Wine, XD - Extra Dry