Rioja Reserva Especial (bottled for Appellations) 2015

A new red bottling, the 2015 Reserva Especial is a blend of 85% Tempranillo with the rest split between Graciano and Mazuelo from Rioja Alta. It fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts and matured in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. This is a wine that is sold by the barrel (really!) and will not be found in shops, as it's only sold direct to the consumer. It has a profile closer to Imperial than to Cune Reserva. There are notes of spices, cigar ash and incense, classical notes of aged red Rioja, still a bit marked by the élevage. The palate is serious, medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a good finish. 40,000 bottles were filled in March 2018.