El Coto Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva Rioja 2012

Sale $29.99

97 pts Decanter / 94 pts Wine Enthusiast - #9 Wine of the Year 2020

What I find compelling about this wine is how it so perfectly balances Old School and New School winemaking. It is about as traditional as it gets… “Gran Reserva” indicating a minimum of five years aging, at least 2 of which are in oak barrels. But the fruit… oh my! The winemaker has spared no expense and cut no corners to put forth a veritable wall of fruit able to not only stand up to the long aging, but thrive. In other words, this wine isn’t just about the process, which can result in wines that are more about oak then fruit. This wine is the perfect marriage of modern viticulture and traditional methods, resulting in a wine that could, or should, reenergize the style! Yes, it’s that good! Old School? Yes. Revolutionary? That too!

If you are a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon with a little age on it, you should really give this a shot… expand your horizons!

90 % Tempranillo / 10% Graciano. It’s the Graciano that has allowed this wine to age so gracefully – it provides firm tannins and high acidity, both crucial elements for long aging potential. This wine is in its prime right now. No need to wait. A little aeration is suggested to let the wine expand and bloom – maybe 20 minutes. You have to remember, this baby has been locked away for a while now - it is gasping for air! With air, the initial earth, wood and spice notes make way for the fruit, with blackberry and cherry notes rising to the fore. . Intense, elegant and complex aromas, with outstanding balsamic, vanilla, coconut, chocolate and truffle wrapped around a core of candied fruit. Well-balanced in the mouth, with elegant acidity and fine, silky, enveloping tannins. A long and complex finish, with hints of roasted coffee, spices, and candied fruit. Grilled lamb is a natural match for this baby. Garlic, rosemary, salt pepper. Some taters on there too… yum!

“This dark, relatively tight-knit Rioja proves that the Gran Reserva category doesn't just indicate the supremely well-aged, relaxed and reposeful style of Rioja, but can also serve to draw drinkers' attention to outstanding wines of density and tenacity which still have a way to run along their potential ageing trajectories. Look out for dark, urgent fruits here sweetened and back-lit by cunningly angled oak, with intense, deep, fresh and searching flavours in which the 10% of Graciano seems to be working overtime. A Rioja of innate drama. Drink Now-2028” Decanter

“Classic Rioja aromas of graphite, cherry, plum and oak are lightly toasted and spicy. On the palate, this offers chewy depth and impeccable balance. Ripe, heady plum, cassis and berry flavors are also nuanced and elegant, while this gran reserva from a ripe vintage tastes of vanilla and mild oak on the finish. For an affordable high-quality gem, look no further. Drink through 2028.” WE


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.