Ramon Bilbao Rioja Limite Sur Garnacha 2021

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 were planted in 1977 and 2014, located in the highest part of eastern La Rioja, with northern exposure and a continental-Atlantic climate at an altitude of 500-600 meters. The soils are petrocálcic, made up of gravel, sand, and silt, with moderate to low water retention depending on the sand content. Pre-fermentation maceration was used to preserve floral aromas and extract color. Fermentation took place in concrete (with a portion of stems added for freshness and tannin) at 24ºC. The wine was aged in various materials: 1/3 in amphoras, 1/3 in 600L barrels, and 1/3 in concrete. It was then blended and aged in 225-liter French oak barrels for 8 months. The 2020 harvest in Rioja Oriental went smoothly, thanks to lower rainfall and reduced risk of fungal growth. The main challenge was managing high humidity, especially in organic vineyards, where natural treatments were used. A warm summer accelerated ripening, leading to an early harvest in August.