Bodegas Ondarre – Rioja Reserva – 2019

PRODUCER NOTE:
Bodegas Ondarre was founded in 1985, with the aim of creating wines which showcase the region’s distinct terroirs. Situated in the town of Viana overlooking the Rioja Valley in Rioja Oriental, Bodegas Ondarre is the only winery in the village of Viana. They have formed trusted relationships with the highest quality growers in the area, with whom they have been working since their inception. The Reservas are Bodegas Ondarre’s most acclaimed wines, which win top awards and critical approval every year. They attribute their success to hard work in the vineyards and their continual investment in the winery and barrel stock. They use both French and American oak casks to help them obtain the character in their wines. They also produce a few thousand cases of a single varietal Graciano – a real rarity due to the low yielding nature of this variety.

VINTAGE:
2019 was a challenging year marked by harsh frosts that affected the vineyards in April, followed by summer drought. Ultimately these factors resulted in a reduced yield. The warm, dry conditions ensured the vines were in excellent health and the harvest was one of the earliest in history of Rioja. The grapes harvested were high quality with excellent varietal expression.

VINEYARD:
The vineyards are situated on Rioja Valley’s northern hills on south-facing slopes, at an altitude of 550 metres above sea level. The vines, which have an average age of 25 years, are planted in uneven terrain due to several streams that run down the mountains that mark the northern border of Rioja. The soils are generally poor in nutrients and very shallow, just 30 to 35 centimetres in depth, which encourage the vines to send their roots deeper in search of nutrients and water. The soils vary from plot to plot, but there is a prevalence of clay based soils with high iron and chalk content. The clay content retains water, which nourishes the vines during the warm summers and the iron content is an essential nutrient for photosynthesis.

WINEMAKING:
Each grape variety was fermented separately in temperature controlled vats at 28 to 30°C, which lasted for between 16 to 18 days. The wine was blended and then aged for 16 months in American and French oak Bordeaux-type casks imparting subtle oak complexity. During the maturation the wine was racked four times, in order to gently extract phenolic compounds by oxygenating the wine. This produced a softer wine which exhibits great varietal fruit character.

TASTING NOTES:
Leather, vanilla and spice of traditionally made Rioja enveloped in a smooth and textured palate. Balanced, with ripe, wild strawberries and integrated tannins through to a long, lingering finish.

GRAPE:
Tempranillo 75%, Mazuelo 15%, Garnacha 10%

COUNTRY:
Spain

REGION:
Rioja

SUB-REGION:
Rioja

AWARDS:
• 90 Points – International Wine Competition 2021