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
Bush vines older than 30 years, mostly in Haro and its surroundings. Average yields 1.5 kg. per vine.
Alcoholic fermentation in French oak vats equipped with temperature control, followed by a malolactic fermentation in French oak barrrel.
14 months in French oak barrels (40% brand new and 60% second-use) and 30 months in bottle prior to its release.
Completely natural methods, clarification using only egg whites.
Photograph of the Bodegas Roda vineyards
We came to 2013 after two years of important drought. The previous winter was cold, and before the budbreak, at last, abundant rainfall.
Budbreak occurred on normal dates, around the middle of April.
May and June were really cold months, and the flowering arrived very late, starting at the beginning of July.
It continued raining abundantly until June and with low temperatures. During the months of summer, there were some isolated storms.
This climatic circumstances delayed the vineyard cycle, getting the maturation with almost three weeks delayed. Fortunately, the months of September and October were excellent.
It was not a year of homogeneous maturation and we had to harvest selectively, waiting for each vineyard to get to its optimum maturation.
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