2009 Gran Reserva – Rioja Alta (Rioja, Spain)
Rioja Alta’s 2009 Gran Reserva exemplifies the region’s classic long-ageing style — bringing together mature fruit, earthy complexity and elegant secondary development after years in bottle. The 2009 growing season in Rioja was warm and steady, yielding grapes with ripe phenolics and balanced acidity that have allowed this Gran Reserva to evolve gracefully over time.
On the nose, complex aromas of dried cherry, red plum and leather mingle with cedar, tobacco leaf and earthy notes of forest floor and dried herbs. There’s a gentle waft of vanilla and spice from extended oak influence, adding nuance without overwhelming the core fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, with soft, evolved tannins framing flavours of stewed berries, fig, savory tomato leaf and a hint of orange rind. Vibrant acidity keeps the wine fresh, while tertiary notes of dried fruit, spice and mineral nuances unfold through a long, savoury finish.
This is Rioja Gran Reserva at its most balanced — fully mature, nuanced and rewarding now, yet still showing structure and harmony more than a decade after the vintage.
Corked Points: 95/100
