1987 Spain
A very good wine vintage overall in Spain and especially in Rioja with some notable Reserva and Gran Reserva wines (overall was 10% of production which is exceptionally high ).
The vintage year started with a bitterly cold winter and was hit by insect infestation in May. A hot summer was marked by low rainfall, although growers in Rioja experienced sporadic rainfalls in the first week of September. Growers who were wise to delay picking until after the rain, were rewarded with an excellent crop, fully ripe and healthy.