Beronia Rioja Iii Ac 2016 750 ML

Dense aromas of prune, blackberry, leather and vanilla open this lusty, full-bodied Rioja that presses the pedal to the metal. Flavors of blackberry and baking spice transition to mocha and cassis on the flush finish. n n Producer Information n Bodegas Beronia is a Spanish wine producer, founded in 1973 in Rioja. It is located in the Rioja Alta subregion and is surrounded by 25 hectares (61 acres) of estate vineyards, supplemented by almost 900ha (2223 acres) of grower vineyards from around the region. Tempranillo dominates the vineyards, although Beronia also has plantings of Graciano, Garnacha and Viura. A majority of the wines produced by Beronia fall under the Rioja DOCa title. As well as making several entry-level varietal and Crianza wines, there are also Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, and a selection of top cuvées aged for an extended period in oak and only released in top years: the 198 Barricas Reserva, Beronia IIIac and the Beronia Viñas Viejas. Oak aging is key at Beronia. Barrels are sourced from forests in Oregon and the American Midwest, as well as from Allier and Limousin in France. New and old oak are used, depending on the wine, and Beronia was the first to create a “mixed” barrel, made from American staves and French tops. Following their time in oak, Beronia’s wines are typically aged in bottle for a period before they are released. Beronia’s vineyards are planted on soils of sand, sediment and clay and are poor in organic materials. The vines are a mixture of pre-phylloxera plantings and newer vines planted in 2011. There are some older vines among Beronia’s grower vineyards as well – these are used to create the Beronia Viñas Viejas wine.