Gomez Cruzado : Reserva 2014

An emblematic and elegant Spanish wine from La Rioja with a beautiful structure

The estate

Bodega Gómez Cruzado, an emblematic producer that ranks as one of the oldest in La Rioja, was founded in 1886. Located near the train station in Haro, capital of La Rioja Alta, Bodega Gómez Cruzado illustrates all of the know-how of a winegrowing region that has become one of the most influential and dynamic in Spain. Driven by the spirit and commitment of its young team, Bodegq Gómez Cruzado has been placed under the management of duo, David Gonzálea and Juan Antonio Leza, two talented oenologists who reveal all of the richness and typicality of the La Rioja terroir in sublime Spanish wines. All the way from the vine to the cellar, the wines by Bodega Gómez Cruzado reflect this will to reveal the typicality of each grape variety and the authenticity of the terroirs in La Rioja.

The vineyard

Located at between 500 and 750 metres above sea level, the 3 vineyards at Bodega Gomez Cruzado are located in prime spots at the heart of a mosaic of terroirs divided into 100 plots. Bathed by the influence of the Atlantic climate, Sierra Cantabria spearheads wines which stand out for their freshness and elegance. A temple of Tempranillo, the Mediterranean influence of Bajo Najerilla gives rise to red wines with ripe fruit and excellent ageing potential. With old vines that are more than 80 years old, Alto Najerilla reveals all of the purity of the fruity character of Grenache.

Reserva 2014 is a Rioja wine made from vines that are more than 30 years old, located on the foothills of the Sierra Canatabria and around the lower reaches of the Najerilla river. There, the soi lis alluvial and clay-limestone, giving the wines a ripe and elegant character as well as great structure and a silky appearance.

The vintage

After a hot autumn during the previous year, the 2014 vintage turned out to be cold and rainy, with a complicated climatology and an early harvest. During the last third of the harvests, temperatures were abnormally high and heavy rainfall was recorded. The unrelenting work at the estate, however, was the deciding factor; the ecological measures carried out to control the impact of diseases in the vineyard were beneficial.

Winemaking and ageing

After the manual harvetss, the grapes are taken to the cellar to begin a precise vinification process. To begin with, the grapes undergo cold pre-fermentation maceration for three days. Daily pump-overs and rack and return are carried out during fermentation, which are thermoregulated and in truncated, stainless steel vats. To finish, the wine is aged for 18 months in Bordeaux oak barrels: 50% American oak and 50% new French oak. After bottling, the wine ages for two additional years to reach its maximum level of aromatic complexity.

Blend

Reserva 2014 is made up of mostly Tempranillo with Grenache.