Behind the Cork™ - Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja

2016 Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja ($30)

Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva 2016 is a well-regarded Spanish red wine from the Rioja region of Spain.

With a history dating back 50 years, Bodegas Olarra base their wines on the ideal selection of the raw material, on the traditional winemaking methods which have been adapted to modern times and the evolution of their wines to the tastes of the consumer.

The third generation of the Bodegas Olarra family is made up of three committed young winemakers who are totally wrapped up in the production of great Rioja wines — Pedro Limousin Ucín, Marcial Zapke Ucín and Luis Limousin Ucín.

This Gran Reserva (meaning it spent a minimum of 2 years in oak and minimum of 3 years in the bottle) is produced from 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Granacha and 5% Graciano. At it’s 9-year mark, it’s definitely showing its age with its tawny color. On the nose, there is black fruit and sweet tobacco. On the palate, it has flavors of black cherry and fig. It finishes spicy and nutty (from aging oxidation).

This 2016 Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva Rioja may be at its peak after nine-plus years. So, if you get an opportunity to try it, it’s well worth the experience. It’s this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja

2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja ($12)

This wine was bottled for Bodegas Ondarre, located in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a “Gran Reserva” wine which means that it was aged for a minimum of five years in oak and bottle with a minimum of 2 years in oak and a minimum of 3 years in the bottle before being released by the winery.

Tempranillo is the grape of Rioja and this wine is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 2% Garnacha.

This 2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja is a medium garnet in color with nice aromas of dark fruit and oak. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of black cherry, fig, a touch of blueberry, sweet tobacco leaf and notable cedar from the oak aging.

This is a 2018 wine that’s a Gran Reserva. And, it sells for under $20! This is a great value for a really good wine. Look for it! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Marques De Cacres Crianza

2021 Marqués De Cáceres Crianza ($13.99)

Enrique Forner founded the Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres winery in Spain in 1970. Don Vicente Noguera, the 7th Marquis of Cáceres (granted by the King of Spain) and a Grandee of Spain (a high-ranking nobleman of the highest rank in Spain), was a childhood friend of Forner and business partner who gave the winery his name. They had a special relationship that was forged when they were children and lasted until their final days.

Today, Juan Noguera, Vicente’s son, preserves the title of Marquis of Cáceres and has retained a direct personal relationship with the Forner family.

This Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza is made from Tempranillo with some small amounts of Garnacha, Tinta and Graciano. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel. Maceration with the skins lasts up to 20 days in order to extract color, aromas and structure. Malolactic conversion occurred in new oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 12 months in French oak (60%) and American oak (40%). The barrels consisted of 25% new oak, 25% oak used for two vintages and the other 50% in oak barrels that were used for a maximum of 3-4 vintages.

This Marqués de Cáceres Crianza is medium ruby in color with aromas of cherry and fig with hints of tobacco. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of cherry and red plum with medium tannin and acidity. It finishes lean and smooth with a hint of oak.

This is a really nice wine that’s easy to sip by itself but also pairs well with dishes with tomato-based sauces, stews, steak, grilled vegetables, barbecued chicken, smoked dishes, peppers. It’s a great value too! This makes the Marqués de Cáceres Crianza a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.

Media Sample Provided by Marqués de Cáceres, Imported by Vineyards Brands

Behind the Cork™ - Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva

2016 Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva ($19.99)

Finca “Los Principes” (The Princes) is a wine from the Spanish wine region of Rioja.

This wine is made from grapes grown in a historic vineyard in the foothills of the Cantabria Mountains that stretch across northern Spain. The winery has six generations of winemaking experience.

This Rioja wine is produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes. Per the standards for a “Gran Reserva,” it was required to undergo a minimum of five years of aging, with at least two of those years in oak barrels.

This Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva is a medium ruby red in color with big aromas of red fruit, oak and herbal notes including tobacco. On the palate, this is a medium-full bodied wine with nice flavors of red cherry, black cherry and fig. The oak aging leads to some subtle flavor of cocoa. This wine is medium-high in tannin and acidity and finishes a bit spicy with an every so slight tartness.

Gran Reserva wines from Rioja can be extraordinary. And, this Finca Los Principes is indeed. And, at this price, is a terrific fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Lucia Victoria Reserva Rioja

2018 Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja ($8)

D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas is a group of wineries which produces and distributes quality wines from the most emblematic Officially Certified Wine growing Regions of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rueda.

Their group is made up of a set of three wineries: Bodegas Valdelacierva (Rioja), Viñedos y Bodegas Gormaz (Ribera del Duero) and Bodegas GarciGrande (Rueda).

Their wines are based on the rigorous control of the production processes, from the raw material until it is in the hands of the consumer as well as in the continuous improvement of the vinification and aging processes. To this end, they have the most stringent quality and food safety certifications (ISO, BRC, IFS) in each of their group’s wineries.

This Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja was bottled for D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas. It is produced from 50+ year old Tempranillo vines that are grown at at altitude of nearly 1500 feet. After fermentation, it is aged 24 months in French and American 225 liter oak barrels followed by 12 months in the bottle before being shipped.

The wine is a beautiful medium purple in color with aromas of red and black cherry, fig and plum. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of red and black cherry, medium tannin, medium-high acidity and has a spicy finish with very a subtle hint of tartness.

Finding a 2018 wine under $10 is fantastic. And, it tastes great too! This make the Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!