Wine Roda I Reserve 2017

Bodegas Roda is an excellent compendium of the best of both worlds, Riojan classicism and new trends wisely merged.

Bodegas Roda is located in northwestern extension of the Rioja region in Barrio de la Estación, at the town of Haro, in the sub-zone of Rioja Alta. This small town on the south bank of the Ebro River is associated with some of the greatest wines of Rioja as well as some of its most venerated bodegas, many dating to the mid-1800s.

Collectively totaling 100 acres, the seventeen contract vineyards are located in Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja, sited at the zones’ higher elevations between 1,800 and 2,100 feet. Fourteen of the vineyards are the Rioja Alta in close proximity to each other and to the principal estate at Haro, and are planted to Tempranillo and Graciano. Of the remaining three, one is located near Tudelilla in the Rioja Baja planted to Garnacha, and theother two near Logroño planted to Tempranillo. The varietal distribution of plantings reflects soil profiles, with chalky limestone, iron outcroppings and alluvia in Rioja Alta and arid, sandy soils over a limestone pan in Rioja Baja. . All of the vines are bush trained and cultivated without chemicals, and range from 30 to 55 years of age with a yield of less than two tons per acre, illustrating Rottlant’s conviction that only old vines can fully express the complete microclimate in the wine.

Roda I is the blend from those plots which in that year have produced grapes of black, ripe fruit characters. The deep, dark, black fruit is almost always dominated by plum aromas together with mineral and chocolate notes, balsamic flavours, all of which form a whole which flows slowly from the very bottom of the glass, developing hugely as it reaches the expectant nose of the taster. On the palate, the fullness of the wine comes through clearly, the fruit complexity gently coating the mouth with masses of sweet tannins. The wine shows great length with a finish of fruit and freshness that lingers on well after swallowing, inciting the taster to sip again. These are wines to accompany gastronomic food and to appreciate in the company of fellow enthusiasts.

Photograph of the Bodegas Roda vineyards

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