Remelluri Rioja Reserva 2011
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
The Remelluri estate's origins date back to the fourteenth century when monks from the Toloño monastery founded a sanctuary and farm at the site. The modern winery was established in 1967 when Jaime Rodríguez Salis purchased the vineyards at the heart of the former estate. Since then Remelluri has been devoted to recovering the old lands of this historic estate and restoring the original vineyards. The vineyards here are at the highest elevation in the region, south-facing, and protected from the prevailing winds and frost. It is the unique micro-climate of this area that gives the wines of Remelluri their personality. Poor, stony soil with layers of clay help to retain freshness, while the Atlantic influence provides abundant rainfall and lower temperatures than in the rest of the region. Organic farming principles have always been utilized here to ensure that the wine remains true to its unique terruño. Remelluri also uses an integrated system of agriculture with great respect for the environment. After years of perfecting his craft and gaining international recognition for his winemaking abilities, Telmo Rodríguez has returned to his family winery. Telmo seeks to remain true to his family estate's vaunted history while guiding it into a bright tomorrow. Telmo's vision of the future of the estate is centered around a focus on place. He is changing the dialog from one of aging methods, and even varietals, to one of specific sites. The idea is to explore the unique characteristics of each village through their wines, an idea that Telmo would like to expand to the whole of Rioja.
Hailed as the star red variety in Spain’s most celebrated wine region, Tempranillo from Rioja, or simply labeled, “Rioja,” produces elegant wines with complex notes of red and black fruit, crushed rock, leather, toast and tobacco, whose best examples are fully capable of decades of improvement in the cellar.
Rioja wines are typically a blend of fruit from its three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental, although specific sub-region (zonas), village (municipios) and vineyard (viñedo singular) wines can now be labeled. Rioja Alta and Alavesa, at the highest elevations, are considered to be the source of the brightest, most elegant fruit, while grapes from the warmer and drier, Rioja Oriental, produce wines with deep color, great body and richness.
