Marques De Riscal, Tapias - Rioja 2021
Marqués de Riscal: One of Rioja’s Oldest Wineries
Founded in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga in Elciego (Álava), Marqués de Riscal became the first winery in Rioja to produce wines using Bordeaux techniques. In 2006, it launched the "City of Wine," featuring a cutting-edge hotel designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry—marking one of the most avant-garde projects ever undertaken by a Spanish winery. In 2021, Marqués de Riscal was recognized as the second-best vineyard in the world and the top vineyard in Europe in the World's Best Vineyards 2021 ranking.
Las Tapias is a 15-hectare plot, considered one of Marqués de Riscal’s finest vineyards, located in Elciego. Planted in 1968 using traditional methods, it features rootstocks and vines selected from old, uniquely high-quality stocks. Tapias represents a carefully curated selection of 2.85 hectares from this exceptional vineyard.
The 2021 vintage:
Autumn was wet, particularly in December, with mild temperatures and no frost. February was unusually warm. In June, persistent rainfall made it necessary to take precautions against disease. The summer was very dry. The harvest, initially scheduled to start early, was delayed until 16 September due to rain on 1 September. The harvest showed good health parameters and a probable high alcohol level, with a high concentration of the substances responsible for color.