Rioja Gran Reserva

Miguel Merino
Spain
Rioja
2019

96% Tempranillo and 4% Graciano, from vines planted between 1960-1970 in clay and limestone soils at 550m elevation. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in small stainless steel vats with frequent pump overs, completing malolactic fermentation. Aged for two years in new French oak barrels followed by one year in used French oak, Two years in bottle before release. 4,170 bottles produced.

93 points
"Showing a little more new oak than the Reserva bottling, which I prefer, this is also a bolderand more structured red. Tempranillo and 5% Graciano provide the raw material here, with notes of forest floor, wood spices and firmish tannins complemented by savoury red berryflavours. 2026-32"
Tim Atkin,
Tim Atkin
Special Rioja Report 2025
94 points
"There are not many Gran Reserva wines produced by small growers, and the 2019 Gran Reserva from Miguel Merino is one of them. It has finesse, harmony and balance, which was his goal here. It was produced with Tempranillo and a pinch of Graciano from vines on sandy soils in the lieux-dits of Bigorta and Resaco from Briones. The grapes fermented in a 5,000-liter stainless steel tank with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for three years. This is one for the long haul in this powerful and complete year, with elegance, ripeness without excess at 14.5% alcohol and fine, silky tannins. 4,170 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2022."
Luis Gutiérrez,
Wine Advocate

SKU/Code: 
DB4838-19
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Tempranillo