Bodegas Franco-Espanolas "ROYAL" Rioja Crianza 2019 [WE 90]

Wine Enthusiast 90 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, 20% Garnacha.

100% Rioja super value.

14 months in American and French oak.

Cherry red in colour with a ruby rim; red fruit overtones present in the nose, it is smoky with hints of liquorice. In the mouth, it is clean, tasty, fresh and balanced. It has a lengthy finish, both fruity and spicy.