1986 Marques De Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva

1986 Marques De Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva

1986 Marques De Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain

This wine has a bright ruby-red color with brick-red highlights. Aromas of candied fruits mingle with notes of vanilla from the oak giving complexity on the nose. This complexity is also obvious in the mouth, combined with elegant and soft tannins. A racy wine with a well-defined personality.- Marqués de Cáceres

Rioja Red Blend is a term used to describe the combination of red-wine varieties used in the red wines of Rioja. Spain’s Tempranillo forms the base of the blend for the majority of the wines in this category, with Garnacha (Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano making up the balance. At least one producer (Marques de Riscal) has special dispensation to include Cabernet Sauvignon in its wines, although this practice is uncommon.

Rioja Alta is one of three sub-regions of Spain’s celebrated Rioja wine region, along with Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. It occupies the westernmost portion of the region, with the majority of its vineyards lying south of the Ebro River. Rioja Alta centers on the historic town of Haro, where a number of well-known wineries are located. The town also plays host to an annual wine festival in June.

Marqués de Cáceres is a winery located in the town of Cenicero, Spain, with vineyards in the sub-regions of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. The vineyards are planted mainly to the red variety Tempranillo and white variety Viura and produce a range of wines under the Rioja DOCa appellation. More than half of production is exported, and Marqués de Cáceres wines are present in more than 120 countries.

The estate was founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner, who came from a family that had been involved in the wine industry for much of the 20th century. Forner was one of the first in Rioja to introduce the use of French oak barrels for aging. The winery is still family-owned and operated and is currently managed by Cristina Forner, Enrique’s daughter.