Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2019
One of the most widely drunk Spanish Crianzas
This revamped classic is one of the Crianzas in greatest demand in Spain, ever-present on restaurants’ wine lists. The latest vintage, Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2019 (an Excellent year), is made from Tempranillo grapes selected from different plots and has been aged for 14 months in American oak. It’s a balanced wine that’s fresh and fruit-forward.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
100% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
American oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux
Barrel aging time
14 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Ramón Bilbao is one of the most traditional and prestigious wineries in Rioja Alta. Their winemaker, Rodolfo Bastida, played a key role in the revamp that Rioja underwent in the 1990s to make the wines more fruit-forward and concentrated. The huge quality Ramón Bilbao Crianza has been demonstrating for decades has earned the winery and the rest of its wines prestige. Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2019 is a single-varietal made from Tempranillo grapes from a memorable year that was warm and dry and was awarded an Excellent rating from the regulatory board of Rioja.
It was grown on selected plots located all over the Rioja region and harvested by hand in 15-kig crates. The grapes from the different plots were fermented separately at a controlled temperature. After blending, the wine was aged for 14 months in American oak barrels.
Established in 1924 and located in Haro, the heart of the Rioja winegrowing area, Bodegas Ramón Bilbao is a firm whose wines are widely distributed on the Spanish market. It has also earned praise from international critics and a sizeable bunch of prizes. Since 1999, Ramón Bilbao has belonged to the Restoy-Zamora family, one of the most important beverage companies in Spain, which also owns wineries like Mar de frades, Cruz de Alba, Palacio de la Vega and Ramón Bilbao Rueda.
Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2019 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is perfect with roast lamb, tuna, sardines, deli meats and mild cheeses.
Creators' opinion
Ruby-red with violet hues. Clean, open nose. Hints of both black and red fruit, dried fruit peel and floral notes. Aromas of sweet spices, nutmeg, vanilla and even touches of cinnamon from barrel ageing. Pleasant and supple on the palate, medium-weight, medium acidity and nicely integrated alcohol. Fruity and spicy notes carry through to the finish.
The winery
Founded in 1924 by Ramón Bilbao Murga himself, since 1999 Bodegas Ramón Bilbao has been part of Grupo Zamora, which is owned by the Restoy Zamora family. From its extensive experience, its position as a pioneering company in the “art” of barrel aging stands out. In its most recent phase, its spectacular growth (from producing 600,000 bottles to 3,000,000 bottles today) and the modernization plan for its facilities and wine styles are noteworthy, largely due to the acquisition of productive vineyards and the planting of new vines in Rioja.
Located in Haro, the heart of Rioja wine, Ramón Bilbao is one of the wineries with the most tradition and prestige in the Rioja Alta. Its long history, supported by its excellent fieldwork and the application of modern winemaking, places it among the benchmark brands of Rioja vineyards. Its winemaker, Rodolfo Bastida, played an active role in the renewal carried out in the 1990s to give Rioja wines greater fruit presence and concentration. Ramón Bilbao owns 180 hectares of its own vineyards and oversees an additional 818 hectares from regional growers.
In 2010, Ramón Bilbao expanded its reach to the D.O. Rueda to produce interesting Verdejos. With the 2016 vintage, they inaugurated their own winery in this region, the homeland of Verdejo, where they already have 60 hectares of vineyards.