Arienzo de Marqués de Riscal Crianza 2018
A Rioja you can’t go wrong with
Arienzo de Marqués de Riscal Crianza 2018 is one of the most appealing wines of its kind in the D.O.Ca. Rioja. A safe bet from the historic Herederos de Marqués de Riscal winery, it’s made chiefly from Tempranillo grapes, enhanced with a small amount of Graciano this vintage. Tradition and quality in a red that you can’t go wrong with.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
4% Graciano, 96% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
American oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux
Barrel aging time
18 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Arienzo de Marqués de Riscal Crianza 2018 is a perfect Rioja: fruity, pleasant on the attack and very fresh, this red expresses the essence of the D.O.Ca. Rioja, one of Spain’s most internationally renowned production areas.
The salient feature of the winemaking process is the predominance of Tempranillo in the blend, which is enhanced with a slight touch of Graciano, though the ingredients are of the unquestionable quality that’s come to be expected of this label: grapes from a selection of vineyards located in the best parts of Laguardia and Elciego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Eighteen months in American oak did the rest, resulting in a Crianza that’s ideal with appetisers and tapas, but just as good with char-grilled meats and oily fish. Previous vintages like that of 2014 picked up a whole bunch of prizes such as a gold medal at the 2017 Berliner Wine Trophy awards.
Tasting notes
Cherry-red with maroon hues.
Aromas of red fruits, wood, coconut and vanilla are dominant in the nose.
Pleasant, fruity and fresh in the mouth. Full, with long-lasting flavours and plenty of character.
The winery
Winery
Oenologist
Winemaker
Founded in 1858 in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa), Herederos del Marqués de Riscal is the oldest winery in Rioja alongside Marqués de Murrieta. In 1862, it marketed its first bottled wines, quickly garnering awards and recognition. Since then, it has maintained a prestigious trajectory, becoming one of the Spanish wineries with the greatest international projection (its wines are present in more than 100 countries). In 1972, it expanded its scope to the D.O. Rueda, producing its first white wines there. The year 2006 marked another milestone for Marqués de Riscal with the inauguration of the City of Wine in Elciego: a spectacular complex surrounding the old family winery, designed by architect Frank O. Gehry, featuring a hotel, fine dining restaurants, and a Vinotherapy center.
The World’s Best Vineyards 2020 list ranked Marqués de Riscal as the sixth-best wine tourism destination in the world.
In the D.O.Ca. Rioja, Herederos del Marqués de Riscal owns 540 hectares of its own vineyards and manages another 900 hectares from suppliers; all within the Rioja Alavesa subzone, spread across Elciego and neighboring villages such as Leza, Laguardia, or Villabuena, and cultivated with the grape varieties tempranillo, graciano, mazuelo, and cabernet sauvignon. On the other hand, in the D.O. Rueda, it owns 330 hectares of vineyards planted with verdejo and sauvignon blanc grapes, and oversees 500 hectares of managed vineyards. In 2018, 100% of the estate's vineyards were certified for organic farming. Marqués de Riscal also produces wines under the Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla y León designation.