Bodegas Franco-Espanolas "ROYAL" Reserva Rioja 2017 [WE 92]

Wine Enthusiast 92 points. 

Bodegas Franco-Españolas was born in 1890 as the union between France and Spain at a peak moment in Rioja, when the French came to the region trying to replace their vineyards devastated by the phylloxera disease. It was the origin of the “fino wines of Rioja”.

In 2015 the winery celebrated its 125th anniversary and in 2016, Borja Eguizábal assumes management, giving way to the third generation of the Eguizábal family as owners of the winery. We met with Borja at the family's Ribera del Duero estate (Valparaiso) where we got an unexpected insight into the extraordinary history and future ambition of this important operation.

80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo.

18 months in american and french oak (30% new).

Ripe cherry in colour with ruby-red hues and medium-high depth; in the nose fairly intense aromas and elegant classicism, ripe red fruir, jam, toffe, chocolate and cocoa, aromatic herbs, cedar and spices. In the mouth well-structured, tasty, good balance and good fruity sensation. Broad and elegant through the mouth. A ripe, deep finifh. High quality aromatic aftertaste.