Tradition, craftsmanship and the magic of time give Ramōn Bilbao's Gran Reserva its heart and soul. One to savour for years to come.

Tradition, craft and the magic of time give Ramōn Bilbao's Gran Reserva its heart and soul. One to savour for years to come.

Ramōn Bilbao Gran Reserva Rioja (DOC) 2015, 14%

 

€24.00 in Dunnes Stores.

In the late 19th century, when phylloxera struck in France, Haro was one of the first towns that French merchants called to, looking for replacement wines. The little town prospered and was the second Spanish town to get electricity - the first was Jerez. As you can see, the Spanish appreciate their wines!

Some years back, I arrived in Haro and set the Sat-Nav for a well-known winery. But the Sat Nav failed on a few occasions perhaps because there were so many bodegas in the small town. It got close to the “target” and then lost its bearings completely. So, after a few attempts, I abandoned my search and went general. “Any bodega will do. I’m going to stop at the next one we see”, I declared. And I followed my own advice, stopped at Tondonio and, just across the road, also visited their neighbour Rioja Alta (the bodega, not the actual area). Bodegas Muga also has a bodega here.

Where to now? On the outskirts of Haro.

 

You can't go wrong in Haro. Just stop and a bodega will be waiting for you. Of course, Ramōn Bilbao (noted by the World Wine Atlas as a top Tempranillo producer) is also in town, imparting its own style to the famous wines of Rioja. And this Grand Rreserva is a superb example of the style and the quality.

“A wine which is only produced in excellent vintages and which in its soul holds the tradition, craftsmanship and magic of time,” is the confident assertion from the producers. The colour is a mid-ruby, somewhat lighter at the rim. Aromas are smooth and fruity (plums and blackberries to the fore). 

And that amazing smoothness is also prominent in the mouth as the time (30 months, the requirement is six)) in the oak has its impact with vanilla, balsamic and spicy now joining the aromatics. It feels silky with a refreshing acidity and an excellent volume as this big grown-up and rounded wine moves to a long and lingering finish. In addition to the time in oak, it spends another 36 months in bottle in their underground wine cellar in total stillness and darkness.

Very Highly Recommended.

It is the perfect match for red meat, mature cheeses, barbecues and game dishes. Serve at 17-18 degrees.

What of the future at Ramōn Bilbao? Here’s what chief winemaker Rodolfo Bastida says:  “For Ramón Bilbao sustainability is a priority; we are strengthening our action plan in a programme for the coming years as a response to climate change. A step forward on the path to becoming a conscious company and taking responsibility for the impact we leave on the planet”.

“‘Since 2017, we have belonged to the Wineries for Climate Protection programme, the first and only specific certification for the wine sector with regard to environmental sustainability backed by the FEV (Spanish Wine Federation). In addition, we were the first winery in Spain to also certify our vineyard.”

They are indeed doing quite a lot in sustainability and you may see more, much more, on their website https://bodegasramonbilbao.com/en/sustainability/

Rioja red wine stickers:

The green label (cosecha) indicates less than one year in oak, less than one in bottle.

The red label (crianza) indicates 1 year in oak, 1 in bottle.

The burgundy (reserva) indicates 1 year in oak, 2 in bottle.

The royal blue (gran reserva) indicates 2 years in oak, three years in bottle.