Ramon Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

' Ramon Bilbao is a renowned Spanish winery based in Rioja, known for producing high-quality wines that blend tradition with innovation. Established in 1924, the winery specializes in crafting elegant, complex wines, with a focus on Tempranillo grapes. Their top-tier wine, Mirto, is made from old vines in select vineyards and is produced only in exceptional years, reflecting the excellence and craftsmanship that define the Ramon Bilbao legacy. The vineyards are over 60 years old and located in Rioja Alta, in the villages of Ábalos (Caramonte) with sandy soils, and Labastida (Carrapacina) with sandy and alluvial soils. The grapes were selected for their specific acidity and pH, ensuring longevity. The grapes were cold macerated for 4 days, followed by controlled fermentation for 16 days. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, aged for 30 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, and then spent 48 months aging in the bottle. The 2016 season had a very cold winter and a rainy spring, with flowering starting 15 days later than usual. A hot, dry summer helped finish the growing season, leading to a high-quality harvest. The harvest began in the third week of September, and the vintage was rated ''Very Good'' by the Regulatory Council. '