Faustino I Gran Reserva 2006, DOCa Rioja, Spain

The origins of Faustino, one of the great names in Spanish winemaking and the Rioja’s largest producer of estate-bottled Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, date back to the mid-1800s. That’s when founder Eleuterio Martinez Arzok took to the road, selling wines from a barrel from the back of a horse-drawn cart. Eleuterio’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on in his descendants to this day. 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano & 5% Mazuelo. Fermented at 30 degrees C. Maceration for 27 days. The Worlds leading Gran Reserva Rioja, aged for 28 months in a combination of 80% American and 20% French oak and 3 years in bottle, produced from grapes grown exclusively on the Faustino Estates. The label shows a painting by Rembrandt of Nicolaes van Bambeeck, a Dutch market trader. The portrait represents the family’s passion for painting and trading. Gold wire was originally introduced to prevent sabotage and the frosted bottle adds strength, preventing it from damage such as chipping during 13 years of aging. Clean, bright. Ruby color developing to maroon. On the nose is complex and elegant, wide fruity and spicy notes. On the mouth, elegant, with pleasant hints due to the barrel ageing. Long and silky finish.