Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2016
A classic that’s only made in great vintages
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This icon of classic Rioja elegance is only made in great vintages. Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2016 was created from a selection of small old vineyards located in municipalities in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, and has been aged for a long 26 months in French oak followed by at least four more years in the bottle.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
Type of barrel
New and second-use French oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux
Barrel aging time
24 to 26 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2016 is a blend of Tempranillo (chiefly) enhanced with the addition of Garnacha and Graciano. It comes from a selection of vineyards in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa planted with old vines (between 65 and 85 years old) with very low yields. The Tempranillo grapes were grown on plots at various altitudes located in Cenicero, Elciego and Laguardia – different terroirs that lend it complexity. The Garnacha grapes were cultivated in Rioja Alta at a high altitude in order to achieve a good acidity and structure. And the Graciano grapes came from Elciego (Rioja Alavesa), and afford the wine delicacy, acidity and colour.
Not every harvest meets the standards set by the prestigious Marqués de Cáceres winery for making this wine for keeping. This firm’s Gran Reserva is only produced in the best years – such as 2016, characterised by abundant rainfall, especially before budbreak, marking a good start to the phenological cycle with sufficient water reserves. In September, an overall increase in temperatures and hours of sunshine ensured full and balanced ripening, producing musts that were rich in sugars with a good polyphenolic structure.
2016 was a late harvest. The grapes were picked by hand, plot by plot. After alcoholic fermentation the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels or stainless steel vats, depending on the batches. All the wines were then transferred to new and second-use French oak barrels, where they were aged for between 24 and 26 months depending on the origin of the vineyards and the batches. Following the final blend and bottling, the wine was matured to perfection in the bottle for 4 years before being released.
Half a century of experience has been more than enough to turn Marqués de Cáceres into a classic. Together with Torres, this firm is the most international Spanish winery. In fact, it was named the most powerful brand of the D.O.Ca. Rioja in 2021 by the consultancy firm Wine Intelligence.
The winery was founded in 1970 by the Valencian-born Enrique Forner, who put into practice in Rioja everything he had learned at the French firms Château Camensac and Château Larose Trintaudon. There, in the heart of Bordeaux, this heir to a long winemaking tradition – his grandfather and father established Vinícola Forner back in 1920 – met the legendary winemaker Émile Peynaud, who helped him design a range of wines for Marqués de Cáceres. Enrique’s daughter Cristina Forner is currently at the helm of Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres. Cristina has been key to the internationalisation of the winery, which has secured a position as a world leader and has as its advisor one of the most world-famous winemakers, another Frenchman Michel Rolland.
Creators' opinion
Good depth of colour with slightly brick-red edges. Complex nose with notes of very ripe fruit (figs) and background notes of fine wood. Notes of spice and fine leather that make it more interesting, resulting in a harmonious, highly complex and layered ensemble. Certain sensations of evolution in the wine, which still holds together despite its age. Potent attack, with surprising development. Supple palate despite its age, with well-rounded and slightly sweet tannins that give it volume and structure throughout tasting. Notable liveliness and freshness. Long finish full of nuances in which spicy notes are predominant.
The winery
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.