Queiron Ensayos Capitales no. π Rioja / 2022 / 75cl

Introducing wine number π in Queiron's Ensayos Capitales series (its predecessor was no. 3 - you can find out why here).  This is where Queirón unleash their winemaking team to explore the outer limits of their oenological imagination every year.

This year's entry is a particularly complex one, so strap in (or just skip to the end if you just want a tasting note).

Three different plots of vines were selected, one Graciano, one Tempranillo, and one Garnacha.  The plots were picked so that their differing combinations of variety, micoclimate and altitude would see them acheive optimum ripeness at the same time.

All three parcels were picked the same day and underwent rigourous selection before the three fermentations were started simutaneously.

Each variety underwent part of its fermentation with its own skins and with the caps formed by the skins of the other two varieties. That is to say, the Graciano must passed via the Tempranillo cap and afterwards, via that of the Garnacha, before finishing up with its own. The must of each of these three varieties fermented in contact with three lots of skins: its own and those of the other two varieties at different stages of the process.

Once alcoholic fermentation was complete, the wines were racked into mixed French- and American-oak casks being used for the second vintage and underwent their malolactic fermentation.  After the malolactic fermentation was complete, the wines were aged for seven months in mixed French- and American-oak casks being used for the second vintage.

At the end of the maturation the winemaking team sampled all three wines and picked their favourite.  The wine that the Queirón oenology team have chosen for this experiment was the one made from the Graciano grape variety. The reason for this choice is that it offers an amazing sensation of aromatic complexity, in which the characteristics of the Graciano are present in a perfectly recognisable way, but in which there is a distinct difference due to the appearance of singular features of the other two grapes: Tempranillo and Garnacha.

Colour: Ensayos Capitales nº π is a clear, radiant wine with a deep robe. It has an intense, black-cherry colour with purple glints at the rim denoting its youthfulness.

Aroma: On the nose it is open, with powerful aromas of dark fruit, such as blueberries and blackberries; there are also notable red-berried fruit like cherries and raspberries, a floral component with hints of violet sweets and spicy nuances of black pepper and liquorice typical of the three varieties. In addition, it reveals a balsamic, herbal side with mineral notes coming through, all perfectly amalgamated with the toasted notes, cloves and coconut provided by the time spent ageing in mixed French- and American-oak casks, creating a complex and fascinating bouquet.

Flavour: It has a full-bodied, rounded, long, fine mouth-feel, with a pleasant attack and at the same time very meaty and harmoniously balanced. The mid palate reveals its tannins, like a succulent wine, with balanced acidity to give it a certain touch of freshness.

Queirón