A Rioja Crianza that sets the standard and bears the mark of Marqués de Cáceres
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2022 is anexceptional red wine that impresses with the depth of its aromas of black fruit, its balsamic notes, and its delicate wood. Made from grapes of the Tempranillo variety with a small contribution of Garnacha Tinta and Graciano, this Rioja red is crafted by one of the wineries that lead the Spanish wine scene: Marqués de Cáceres. Its aging period in French oak barrels has endowed it with great elegance and harmony.
On the table, Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2022 shines with its relaxed elegance, inviting pairing with flavourful cuisine and shared good times. It originates in the D.O. Cava Rioja from Tempranillo grapes, with a small contribution from Garnacha Tinta and Graciano, and combines hand-harvesting, careful grape selection, and a 12-month ageing period in French and American oak barrels. Everything is designed to achieve a harmonious balance without losing freshness or character.
It comes from old vines planted on small plots in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, over soils that are predominantly calcareous-clay and produce very low yields. This foundation, along with patient work in the winery, helps the wine retain a very pleasant sense of harmony and a distinctively Rioja personality, noticeable from the first sip.
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres is one of the most recognised names in Spanish winemaking, with a well-established international reputation. Under the direction of Cristina Forner, it upholds a clear philosophy: to produce accessible, refined, and well-crafted wines that maintain a strong sense of their origin’s identity.
Consumption features
Pairing
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2022 pairs very well with everyday meals and more elaborate tables, because its black fruit, balsamic notes, and fine wood work comfortably with grilled red meats, lamb chops, beef cheeks, and a good rabo de toro. It also complements sautéed mushrooms, Iberico ham, and cured cheeses. Well-rounded. Its profile of Tempranillo, with contributions from Garnacha Tinta and Graciano, makes it especially pleasurable with flavoursome, juicy-textured dishes.
Service
It's a Crianza red with an elegant and balanced profile, featuring black fruit, balsamic notes, and fine wood well integrated.To enjoy its full expression, it is recommended to decant it one hour before serving, especially to allow its aromas of Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, and Graciano to open up better.
The winery works with a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, and Graciano from small selected plots, with special care taken in the selection and destemming of the bunches to preserve the purity of the fruit and the winery’s signature style.
Subsequently, the grapes undergo maceration with the skins for 20 days, aiming to extract primary colour and aromas, while the alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature; the wine then completes malolactic fermentation in new oak and stainless steel barrels, finalising a vinification process that combines technique with delicacy to define its Rioja character.
Aging
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza achieves precise and balanced ageing that adds elegance and harmony to the overall profile. The wine was matured for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, following malolactic fermentation carried out in new oak and stainless steel tanks. Subsequently, it was further refined with another year in bottle before being released to the market.
Vineyard
Description
It comes from old vines selected in small plots of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, with very low yields. The vineyard is situated on predominantly calcareous-clay soils, a foundation that promotes balanced ripening and adds tension and freshness to the overall profile. Made from Tempranillo, with a small addition of Garnacha Tinta and Graciano, this wine reflects the character of the D.O.Ca. Rioja in a Crianza that seeks harmony, elegance, and a deep aromatic expression.
Viticulture
The vineyard quality is supported by old vines selected from small plots in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, cultivated with very low yields on predominantly calcareous-clay soils, a setting that promotes concentration and balance in the grape. The harvest is entirely manual, with careful selection by varieties, zones, and degree of ripeness to preserve the character of Tempranillo, with contributions from Garnacha Tinta and Graciano, in a traditional viticulture style that is highly attentive to detail.
Tasting notes
Nose
Ruby colour with a medium depMarqués de Cáceres Crianza 2022 exhibits a deep and harmonious nose. Aromas of black fruit stand out, complemented by balsamic notes that provide freshness and a fine, delicate wood, perfectly integrated. In the background, subtle nuances of fine leather and menthol echoes emerge, completing an elegant and expressive aromatic profile.th and rim intensity.
Mouth
Luscious on the palate. With a smooth and playful tannin. Develops a velvety mouthfeel, with well-integrated tannic load and a pleasing freshness that adds vitality. The structure is balanced, and the harmony is maintained from start to finish. Leaves an elegant and enveloping sensation, with good persistence.
The origins of Marqués de Cáceres date back to the late 1960s, when the Valencian Enrique Forner decided to apply in Rioja the winemaking knowledge he had acquired in Bordeaux during his time at Château Camensac. To carry out his project, Forner sought the advice of the renowned oenologist Émile Peynaud.
The first measure taken by the Valencian was to convince the local grape growers from whom he purchased grapes that he only wanted healthy and ripe fruit. He then built a winery equipped with the most modern technology and revolutionized Rioja's winemaking tradition by implementing shorter aging periods than usual, using French oak barrels. Enrique Forner passed away in 2011, but today it is his daughter Cristina who, accompanied by a select group of professionals, keeps one of Spain's most prestigious Rioja wineries at the top.
In 2014, Marqués de Cáceres expanded its operations to the D.O. Rueda, acquiring 125 hectares of vineyards in La Seca and Serrada, planted with the verdejo and sauvignon blanc varieties. They also built a winery there. In 2019, they extended their reach to the D.O. Ribera del Duero, where they own the Finca La Capilla winery.
