1994 Spain
Arguably the greatest Spanish wine vintage of the 1990s and some growers and commentators even went so far as to describe it as the vintage of the century.
Spain enjoyed its hottest and driest summer since 1982, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees celcius. Some vines just could not cope with the heat and ceased to grow, resulting in lower than normal yields. In Rioja the scorchingly hot summer was followed by welcome light rains in September.
The harvest commenced 15 days earlier than usual and the grapes were marvellously ripe, with a perfect balance between fruit and acidity. Consequently the wines are full bodied and powerful yet very fragrant and completely harmonious. In Ribera del Duero yields were down by as much as 50% in some cases due to the excessive summer heat. However, what was lost in quantity was made up by the quality of the wines which, in the words of Pesquera's Alejandro Fernandez, was extraordinary.
Prices:
Bottle
£150.00
Bottle 3 x 75cl2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Magnum 1 x 150cl1cs
The blend is 75% Tempranilo and 15% Garnacha with the balance shared equally between Graciano and Mazuelo, aged in American barrel for nearly ten years with racking taking place twice a year.
The ageing potential for this wine is extraordinary; at the moment the colour is dense and rich and the aromatics combine gentle vanillin with dried fruit and hints of spice. All is in place for a fascinating evolution, which is not to say that one should overlook its current charms.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer
Bodegas R. López de Heredia is one of the wine world’s great treasures. Founded in 1877 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, the bodega was built close to the railway station at Haro, in Rioja, its location geographically symbolic for proximity of access to the ideas of Bordeaux and practically useful for transportation of both grapes and wines. The quality of the wines is such that they have maintained a plateau of perfection for years.
Bottle 6 x 75cl2cs
Made up of 85% Tempranillo, with the remaining 15% divided between Graciano and Mazuelo, the nose is feminine with wild strawberry, vanilla and wood smoke integrating nicely. The palate is pleasing with silky tannins, sweet fruit and the ethereal essence that is true Rioja.
Nicholas Stewart, Buying Department