Remelluri

Remelluri is one of the most important wineries in La Rioja, not for its aristocratic roots (it was only founded in 1967), rather for its successful blend of modern technology (stainless steel vats) the traditional extended period in oak. Remelluri has become, over the years, a Cult Wine, and production is tiny. It’s unusual in La Rioja for being a single estate bodega (Martinez Bujanda’s Finca Valpiedra is another one of the few chateau-style wineries). It is located at the base of the scenic Sierra de Toloño mountain range.

“1995 Remelluri has matured beautifully and is drinking perfectly now, as it will continue to over the next few years. It appears to be the qualitative equivalent of the extraordinary 1994. It possesses a dense black/purple color, a rich, black raspberry, cassis, and jammy cherry-scented nose with hints of licorice and smoky oak, extraordinary flavor intensity, full-body, sweet integrated tannin and acidity, and a blockbuster, sensational finish that lasts for 35 seconds. It needs another 2-3 years of cellaring and should drink superbly through the first 10-12 years of the next century.”

“Remelluri’s 1997 (3,000 cases available for the United States) is produced from 80% Tempranillo, with the balance Grenache, Graciano, and Mazuelo, and is aged in 90% French and 10% American oak. Remelluri has produced a fine effort. Soft, complex, spicy, cedary, cherry and plum notes emerge from this dark ruby-colored wine. In the mouth, toasty oak adds to the lush, sexy corpulence. Low acidity and ripe fruit make for a lush entry.”