El Coto, 'Coto de Imaz' Rioja Gran Reserva

Alcohol percentage: 14%

Grape variety:
95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano. 

Producer:
El Coto was founded in 1970 in Rioja Alavesa and has grown from modest beginnings into one of the leading producers today. The Bodega owns over 700 hectares of vineyard across the three Rioja DOCa sub-zones of Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental.

Head winemaker César Fernandez oversees production, all fruit is handpicked into 350 kilogram crates to ensure the grapes arrive at the winery in pristine condition. The winery is state of the art with the emphasis on temperature control and gentle handling of the grapes. 

Area:
In the winery, the grapes were destemmed and crushed. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 22-27°C and lasted for around 28 days. The wines were transferred into a mixture of French and American oak (75% new) for 24 months, followed by 36 months ageing in bottle prior to release. 

The “Coto de Imaz” vineyard is one of their finest – located in Cenicero in Rioja Alta - and grapes here are nearly always predestined to go into Reserva and Gran Reserva aging programmes. The soils are a mix of limestone, clay and chalk (which the Tempranillo grapes love). The Gran Reserva is 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano. 

Maturity potential:
This wine is ready to drink now but can be kept and enjoyed over the next 5 years when it should develop more savoury notes. No need to decant but can give it an hour’s airing prior to drinking.

Old Bridge rating:
Still a very youthful colour; plenty of vanilla and coconut oak on the nose, the palate is fresh with bright strawberry jam fruit and red berry notes. The tannins are ripe and grainy – overall a polished, persistent wine with a fine balance between oak and fruit. 

Please note the last day for guaranteed Christmas delivery is the 19th of December. After this date we unfortunately cannot guarantee that your order will arrive in time for Christmas.