Description
Information about the Wines
El Propósito “Vino tinto de Pueblo” (Modern Rioja)
Blend:
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85% Tempranillo
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10% Garnacha
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3% Merlot
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2% Palomino
What it shows
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Modern Rioja trend: focus on origin/village (Lapuebla de Labarca) instead of just barrel aging.
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A slightly more unusual blend – Garnacha gives more fruit and softness.
Expected aromas
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red cherries
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raspberries
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herbs
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light spiciness
Discussion point
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How does Garnacha affect fruitiness compared to pure Tempranillo?
Vendimia Seleccionada de Heras Cordón 2021
Blend:
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80% Tempranillo
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10% Mazuelo
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10% Graciano
What it shows
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Classic Rioja blend.
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Crianza means at least 2 years aging (min 1 year in barrel).
Role of grapes
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Tempranillo → structure and cherries
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Mazuelo → acidity and tannins
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Graciano → aroma and spice
Expected aromas
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cherries
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plum
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vanilla
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spices
Heras Cordón Reserva 2019
Blend:
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90% Tempranillo
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5% Graciano
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5% Mazuelo
What it shows
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More barrel aging and maturation.
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Reserva requires at least 3 years of aging.
Expected aromas
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dried cherries
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leather
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tobacco
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vanilla
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cedar
Discussion point
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How does aging time affect texture and complexity?
Good to know about Rioja
Rioja is Spain’s historically most influential wine region, and today it stands at a stylistic crossroads between traditional (classic) and modern (new wave) expressions. Both are primarily based on Tempranillo, but they differ in philosophy, oak, fruit expression and structure.
Geography and Climate
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Located in northern Spain.
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Split into three main areas:
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Rioja Alta – cooler climate, elegant and ageable wines.
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Rioja Alavesa – high altitude, often more aromatic wines.
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Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja) – warmer, fuller wines.
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The climate is a mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean, which provides a balance between acidity and ripeness in the grapes.
Most Rioja wines are red.
Red grapes
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Tempranillo – most important grape (gives structure, cherry tones).
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Garnacha
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Graciano
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Mazuelo
White grapes
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Viura (most common)
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also e.g. Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia.
Classic Rioja wines are often classified by aging time, not just quality.
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Joven – almost no barrel aging, fruity.
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Crianza – at least 2 years of aging (at least 1 year in oak barrels).
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Reserva – at least 3 years of storage (at least 1 year in barrel).
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Gran Reserva – at least 5 years aging (at least 2 years in barrel).
Gran Reserva is usually only made in good years.
Rioja is made for food.
Good combinations:
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lamb
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grilled meat
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tapas
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charcuterie
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hard cheese
Typical features of traditional Rioja wines
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long aging in American oak barrels
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often long bottle aging before sale
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relatively light color
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lower alcohol
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more developed aromas
Flavours
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dried cherries
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vanilla
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dill/coconut (from American oak)
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leather
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tobacco
Style: elegant, soft and complex.
Typical features of modern Rioja Wines
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more focus on fruit and power
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shorter storage
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often French oak barrels
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darker colour
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higher alcohol and more concentration
Flavours
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ripe blackberries
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plums
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chocolate
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roasted coffee
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spices
Style: fuller, more international.





