20-Year Old Rioja Gran Reserva for $34?!!

The 2004 vintage in Rioja is legendary, heralded as one of the single best harvests in the last 25 years. Decanter gave 2004 a rare five stars, and Wine Advocate has never rated a Rioja vintage higher.

We wish every wine lover could experience the thrill of a 20-year-aged Gran Reserva Rioja from a year like this, but theyre scarce: We can find only 20 or so Riojas from 2004 availableand the majority of them cost between $150 and $300.

Bodegas Escudero dates back more than a century, to when Juan Escudero first started making wine in a small mountainside cave. The winery gained momentum when Juans grandson Benito, inspired by his father and grandfather, dove into the family business. He studied at the Requena School of Oenology and later at the Villafranca del Peneds School of Oenology, and even traveled to Bordeaux and Champagne to deepen his knowledge.

The spirit of Benito is alive in the current Bodegas Escudero wines, which are sourced from the familys holdings in La Rioja and Navarravineyards whose vines average 70 years of age. Most are planted in poor, stony soils on the southern slopes of Monte Yerga, where the extreme climate and diurnal temperature swing create Tempranillo of beautiful ripeness and verve.

Serna Imperial hails from the Cuesta la Reina estate, located on a sun-drenched hillside. Hand-harvested and selected in the vineyard, it was fermented in stainless steel tanks on indigenous yeasts before spending at least 24 months in aged American oak, during which it was racked six times.

Although the oak aging is crucial, its only part of the story of this exceptional bottle, which has been at rest in the winery cellars for nearly 20 years. Now blossoming fully, its a prime example of why we think vintage Rioja is one of the most precious wine experiences availableand undoubtedly one of the best you can get for a price like this.

*We recommend using an Ah-So wine opener to enjoy this bottling, as aged corks are delicate and may crumble or break easily.

Medium crimson color with garnet edge. Savory and perfumed on the nose, with dried cranberry, cherry preserves, balsamic, oregano, leather, toasted oak, sandalwood, and hard spice. The perfectly balanced palate blends earthy, savory flavors with red fruit that is still fresh and ripe. Black plum, salted nuts, roasted herbs, and hints of vanilla grace the broad palate. The tannins are delicate but present. An exceptional example of a remarkable Rioja vintage. Drink now2030.

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