***WINE FUTURE ARRIVING APRIL 2023***
Each mixed case contains 6 bottles of 2015 Castillo Labastida Manuel Quintano Reserva Rioja and 6 bottles of 2016 Castillo Labastida Manuel Quintano Reserva Rioja.
As testified previously in these pages, you'll find no more a rockstar and defining figure in Spanish winemaking than El Pionero Manuel Quintano (1756-1818). Having translated modern Bordelaise winemaking techniques to the Rioja region, he unleashed the revolution largely responsible for the region's global prestige and recognition today.
On offer today are two vintages of the Flagship offering from the Labistida family's homage, the Manuel Quintano Rioja Reserva ; a blend of the family's three oldest plots of 70- to 120-year-old vine Tempranillo and Garnacha aged in 50% new French oak for 20-months.
Cultivated from old, gnarly vines planted chock-a-block in fields of broken rock as high as 1200-meters, these Reserva's are infused with a combination of elegance and power and are about as powerful an expression of Rioja terroir as you will find.
While we await scores on the 2016 vintage, the fantastic 2015 was awarded 92-points from James Suckling three years ago (I suspect it would rate higher today) and 91-points from the conservative-scoring Guía Peñín. Vintages predating these two are abound with awards and scores in lesser vintages, so we can only assume how well the 2016 will fare; both the 2015 and 2016 vintages were excellent.
These wine retail in Spain for about 30 Euro/bottle, giving it a $50-$60+ retail here in the states.
2015 Manuel Quintano Reserva Old Vine Rioja Red ; a blend of Tempranillo (70%) and Garnacha (30%), that sees 50% New French oak with a strong sense of place, cultivated from 70- to 120-year old, gnarly vines.
Definitely a Spanish wine through a French sight glass; unmistakable medium-toast French oak spices on the nose accent blackberry, cocoa, dried figs and strawberry preserves. The entry is defined by delineated leather, tobacco, black fruit, and raspberry coulis/licorice with dill undertones framed by mineral-flecked acidity and small, plentiful, grippy tannins that make for a fleshy and palate staining mid-palate. The finish is voluminous, elegant and silky with great length, resonating with baking spices, coconut and vanilla in near endless waves, commanding another sip.
2016 Manuel Quintano Reserva Old Vine Rioja Red ;
Terroir only seems appropriate in describing this wine, and it’s definitely a Spanish wine by-way-of a French education - a testament to the legacy of Manuel Quintano himself. The nose is elegant; distinct dried fig accented by herbal notes, with a bit of strawberry creeping up from underneath rounded out by a halo of cinnamon. On the palate medium acidity is balanced amidst wooded elements, a touch of dill, and seamless tobacco throughout. The finish is bone dry and reverberates with length, driven by terroir and a proper cooperage program; a bit of cedar, a touch of black cherries, a kiss of raspberries and deft barrel spice inclusions.
We've only imported 100 cases of each so purchase accordingly.
