2016 Martelo Reserva Rioja, Torre de Oña, *Magnum*
Rioja Alavesa, Spain
The 2016 Finca Martelo Reserva is a juicy wine, thrilling the mouth with plentiful red and black fruit. A wise and careful ageing process in wood is appreciated in its seductive and well-balanced character and fresh sensations. It makes no attempt to hide the power of its modern profile but the character of a traditional wine and other more evolved touches are never far away. A top-quality Reserva wine produced by a winery steeped in expertise creating classic Rioja wines.
Head winemaker Julio Saenz refers to it as “our little Burgundy” because of how closely it represents this unique location. In fact, the wine itself is a field blend, 95% Tempranillo with 5% other varieties including Mazuelo, Garnacha, and even Viura. The chalk soils and 80-year-old vines at Torre de Oña produce a fuller, riper style of Rioja, while the high altitude and Atlantic influence in Rioja Alavesa keeps the wine fresh and elegant. This style is complemented by the use of 20% French oak and shorter maturation, alongside La Rioja Alta’s ultra-traditional methods such as racking by hand.
Whats in the bottle
95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, Garnacham Viura
Notable Awards
“Glistening violet. Potent, mineral- and smoke-accented dark berry, cherry cola and floral scents show excellent clarity and spicy lift. Lively and seamless in texture, offering sweet black raspberry, cherry preserve and boysenberry flavors and hints of spicecake and candied rose. Closes on an appealingly sweet note, with sneaky, slow-mounting tannins and strong, smoky persistence.” 93 points, Vinous.com