Bodegas de la Marquesa, Valserrano Gran Reserva, Rioja, 2010

Bodegas de la Marquesa Valserrano is a family business that was started in the second half of the 19th century by Francisco Javier Solano y Eulate, who took the advice of a Bordeaux winemaker to use the Médoc method of ageing and storing wine.  Their own 65ha provide the majority of the grapes used for the production of their wines, all fully owned by the family. This 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano blend spends two years and six months in French (60%) and American (40%) oak, and a further three years in bottle before release. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: A multi-layered, dense and concentrated wine that is showing evidence of French oak. It is a modern style of Rioja at gran reserva level, and really shows the best of both worlds. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Truffle and balsamic aromas dance across the glass. On the palate the wine is vibrant, with cherries, peppers, citrus, and a fine line of tannin. A long and elegant example. Pierre Mansour: Smoky oak unfurls onto an intense, generous palate with heaps of depth and richness. The fruit is sweet and plump so there is real appeal here. A lovely contemporary style with plenty of life.

Refined cedar aromas, while the palate is energetic and juicy, building to a fine rasp of youthful tannins. Long and persuasive, with all the ingredients to age well.