Urbina Crianza Rioja

Wine information: Bodegas Urbina is a small, traditional and family-owned Rioja wine estate. This single estate is located in Cuzcurrita de Rio Tiron on the north-western boundary of DOC Rioja. Urbina has 75 hectares of vineyards at two main vineyard sites - the first site is at Cuzcurrita de Rio Turon, an area well-known for producing Riojas capable of ageing for many years ideal for Gran Reservas. The other vineyards are located at Uruñuela, in the heart of the Rioja DOC, which consistently produces wines of great quality and body. Four generations of the Urbina family had dedicated themselves to producing Rioja wines and, following in his father’s footsteps, Pedro Urbina is the current wine-maker. In 1976 the family took the decision to bottle and age all the wine made themselves, rather than selling grapes to other wine producers, and the single estate Urbina Rioja wines were created. Since then Urbina has gone from strength to strength. A new winery was designed and built by the Urbina family at Cuzcurrita in 1986 and there has been a large investment in modern equipment, stainless steel tanks and a bottling plant. Bodegas Urbina produces 400,000 bottles of red Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva and 50,000 bottles of white and rosé wine, all made from grapes sourced from their own vineyards. The vineyards are cultivated using traditional methods, harvesting is by hand and there is little, or no, use of weed killers and pesticides. Additionally all fertilizer used is organic. Only local / indigenous yeasts are used in the wine-making process which help to give Urbina wines their unique personality. The Crianza is 95% Tempranillo (from 20 year old vines) and 5% Graciano and Mazuelo, all harvested by hand. 12 months in American oak casks and a minimum of 6 months in bottle before release. Total production : 200,000 litres.

Tasting Notes: Urbina Crianza Rioja has a ruby colour with garnet hues, intense, mellow ripe strawberry, vanilla nose. Well-balanced, strawberry, nutty flavours on palate with splash of cream and spice, a firm taste, good structure and long lasting aftertaste with great persistence.

Reviews: "The 2005 Crianza, a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo that spent 14 months in American oak. Medium crimson-colored, it emits an aromatic array of cedar, tobacco, spice box, cherry, and black raspberry. On the palate it displays an elegant personality with ample spicy fruit, a bit of structure, and a silky finish. It will drink well through 2020." 88 Points, Robert Parker

 
     

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