| Description: |
La Emperatriz Gran Vino Tinto Hermanos Hernaiz
Located in Rioja Alta, the vineyard hosts 50-65 year old bush vines at 570 m of altitude. The soil is an impressive layer of large white pebbles with a depth of about 40 cm covering loose, sandy sub-soil. This is ideal soil to grow vines as it has excellent drainage, great exposure to light and allows for the perfect placement of the roots so that they may receive nutrients.
2016 was a cold year until the month of August which caused for significant delays in the vineyard. During that period, the rainfall was 401 mm, mainly concentrated from January to April. From August onward, temperatures increased considerably leading to a very warm September. Rainfall from August- October was only 33mm, which is perfect for grape maturation. The best grapes from older vines were used to produce wine during this vintage.
Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura were all harvested at once between the 18th and 20th of October; after careful sorting at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and 40% crushed. All three grape varieties were vatted in the same tank for 5 days of cold maceration. The wine was fermented with the use of indigenous yeasts and daily, gentle pump overs. After 20 days of post-ferment maceration, the wine was removed from vat and placed in barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged 18 months in barrels: 60% new French oak and 40% second-year American oak barrels.
|
| Taste: |
A perfectly balanced Tempranillo dominant blend from Rioja Alta; the fruit is tart and slightly dried, mostly red fruit such as cherry, cranberry and red currant. There are lots of non-fruit elements in wine; savoury dried herbs such as thyme and rosemary. A dry, dusty earth, dried leather, vanilla, cigar box and sandalwood. There is a sweet and sour sauce savoury note which is quite pleasant on the palate. The wine is bone dry, medium-full bodied with elevated tannins and nicely integrated, prominent tannins. A delicious wine that’s certainly built to last. |
| Cellaring Potential: |
Drink now or age 10+ years |
| Food Matching: |
Pair with braised lamb shank, roasted pork, or a local delicacy: patatas a la rioja (contains chorizo!) |