Faustino 1 Gran Reserva 2004

On the palate, you’ll find intense cherry fruit (both black and red) and fresh strawberries, offering a ‘creamy’ texture reminiscent of an excellent aged Rioja. The structure includes well-integrated acidity and light tannins, making it moreish and pleasant. Touches of dark chocolate, meaty flavours, and liquorice emerge on the back palate. The aftertaste is clean and intense on the nose. Tertiary aromas dominate, characterized by prunes and ripe fruit, harmoniously blending with spicy and balsamic notes from barrel ageing. Black pepper also serves as a reminder of the Graciano in this blend.

This wine demonstrates its elegance primarily on the palate. Its entrance is subtle, gradually releasing a flood of sensations. Hints of liquorice, candied fruit, and cocoa resurface, as do the balsamic notes detected on the nose. The well-balanced acidity and polished tannins emphasize its silkiness and roundness. It is a plush, sweet, and delicate wine, rich with nuances and complexity.

There is no reason not to purchase this wine unless you are not a fan of the traditionally tertiary style of Rioja Gran Reserva.

Why?

- It has excellent bottle age and is from a legendary vintage (2004, comparable to 1982 or 2005 in Bordeaux).

- It has received fantastic scores (97 from Decanter).

- It is offered at a great price (for reference, Haut Brion 2010 and Mouton 2010 also have the same Decanter score but are selling at significantly higher prices).

- This is a wine to keep (from 2004 onwards).

- It boasts perfect provenance (the frosted Burgundy-style bottle features a label with a Rembrandt-style portrait of a Spaniard, and the bottle is wrapped in a thin, twisted-gold-wire mesh).

- It was recognized as the Wine of the Year (2013) by one of the world’s premier wine magazines, Decanter.