2004 Marqués de Cáceres Gaudium Gran Vino Reserva, Rioja, Spain, Rioja DOCa

The Marqués de Cáceres winery, located in Rioja Alta, has a solid reputation in quality. In poor vintages, very often they decide not to produce Crianza or Reserva in respect for their customers. Enrique Forner, assisted by the famous professor of oenology, Emile Peynaud, founded the house in 1970. Meanwhile the daughter Cristina arrived at the head of the family business and she in turn called Michel Rolland, also a winemaker with a great reputation, for assistance.

The vineyards are located in the best part of the Rioja, namely Rioja Alta near Cenicero. In the vineyards, we mainly find Tempranillo, Garnacha, and to a lesser extent Graciano. Many of the grapes are purchased from growers, but only after a rigorous hyperselection. Only the best grapes in a state of optimal health are accepted into the cellar. In recent years, Marqués de Cáceres has invested heavily in modern equipment, in the selection of grapes and in winemaking techniques.

The red wines are characterized by a high expression of fruit and a perfect balance due to aging in French oak barrels and bottle aging at the domain. These wines are concentrated and have a good structure with elegance and finesse.

Gaudium is the top wine in the range of wines. For this wine a small amount of Graciano grape is added next to the Tempranillo. In addition, this wine is made exclusively from grapes of old vines. The wine has matured between 16 and 20 months in new barrels of French origin, followed by 24 months maturation in bottle at the property.