R Rioja Alavesa is home to hundreds of small family-run wineries like Medrano Irazu, a firm run by Amador Medrano, the second generation of the family. Amador exemplifies the shift in the concept of grape growing and winemaking that this century has witnessed. Their Medrano Irazu Colección de Familia Reserva 2019 is a good example of the loving care devoted to their old vines. This single-varietal made from Tempranillo grapes was aged for 18 months in barrels and furthermore comes from an Excellent vintage in the D.O.Ca. Rioja.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
100% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
French oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux
Barrel aging time
18 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Bottling
11/2021
Total acidity (g/l)
5.44
Volatile acidity (g/l)
0.62
Sugar
1.9
pH
3.65
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14.37
General Information
Medrano Irazu Colección de Familia Reserva 2019 is 100% Tempranillo. The grapes were grown on vineyards located in Laguardia and Elvillar (Rioja Alavesa) with calcareous-clay soils and were picked by hand in small 12-kg crates to preserve the berries. At the winery, following destemming and pressing, fermentation took place for 20 days at a controlled temperature no higher than 28º C in stainless steel tanks. Daily pumping-over ensured the good extraction of colour and tannins.
The resulting red wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels and matured to perfection for a further 10 months in the bottle before being released.
For more than forty years the Medrano family have been making quality wines in Elvillar, a stone’s throw from Laguardia in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, sheltered by the Cantabrian mountains. At the turn of the century Amador Medrano, a member of the second generation, took over from his father and rejuvenated the winery, going from creating only young wines to focusing on barrel-aged reds. Processing the grapes separately plot by plot was another of his innovations. Today Bodegas Medrano Irazu produces wines that have earned critical acclaim in the US and Spain.
Medrano Irazu Colección de Familia Reserva 2019 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is ideal with kid goat meat stew or lamb hotpot with potatoes.
Creators' opinion
Appearance: classic deep ruby-red with a brick-red rim.
Aromas: complex nose with perfectly integrated notes from ageing: vanilla, spices and herbs.
Flavours: great balance and smooth mid-palate, long, pleasant finish.
The winery
Founded in 1984, Medrano Irazu is a small family winery with great ambition regarding the quality of its wines. A winery located in Elvillar de Álava, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, and managed by Amador Medrano, the second generation of the family. Bodegas Medrano Irazu has established itself as one of the most important names in Spanish wine after earning recognition from critics in the USA and Spain. Its philosophy combines traditional knowledge with the introduction of innovative ideas (such as producing the first Late Harvest wine in Rioja).
Bodegas Medrano Irazu owns 39 hectares of its own vineyards and oversees an additional 70 hectares managed by expert local viticulturists. The vines, with an average age of over 30 years, are planted at an altitude of over 600 meters, a factor that gives the grapes a unique aroma, color intensity, and structure.
Bodegas Medrano Irazu owns 39 hectares of its own vineyards and oversees an additional 70 hectares managed by expert local viticulturists. The vines, with an average age of over 30 years, are planted at an altitude of over 600 meters, a factor that gives the grapes a unique aroma, color intensity, and structure.