Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 2015 is one of the 'top' wines from Bodegas Ramón Bilbao, one of the most traditional and reputable wineries in Rioja Alta and a standard-bearer of renewed classicism. Made only in excellent vintages, this red wine aged 30 months in American oak embodies the tradition and craftsmanship of Rioja.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
7% Graciano, 90% Tempranillo, 3% Mazuelo
Type of barrel
American oak barrels
Barrel aging time
30 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Total acidity (g/l)
5.68
pH
3.49
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 2015 is the result of blending different old vines (60-65 years), in Ábalos and Labastida, selected due to their levels of acidity and pH, which guarantee longevity in the wine. After the selection of bunches and a meticulous production process, the wine aged for 30 months in American oak barrels and 48 more months in the bottle.
Bodegas Ramón Bilbao was founded in 1924 by Ramón Bilbao Murga, one of the pioneering wine producers. From its location on the outskirts of Haro, Ramón Bilbao stands as one of the most traditional and renowned wineries of Rioja Alta. In the nineties, it was a key player in the renewal of Rioja wines. Since 1999, Ramón Bilbao has belonged to the Restoy-Zamora family.
With the turn of the century and change of ownership, Bodegas Ramón Bilbao has made significant investments to modernize the production process, without turning its back on tradition. Additionally, it has invested significantly in vineyards; in fact, in the last five years, it has doubled its owned vineyards. Today, this firm enjoys significant distribution in the Spanish market, with notable presence in the restaurant industry, and each year its good work is endorsed by international awards and high scores. A good example of this is this Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 2015, a Rioja perfect for accompanying red meats, game, barbecues, and aged cheeses.
Creators' opinion
Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva exhibits a high-intensity garnet red color. Elegant and complex nose, clean and rich in nuances. The character of red and black fruit predominates, followed by balsamic notes and aging aromas such as vanilla, nutmeg, and coconut. In the background, hints of underbrush and spices are perceived. On the palate, it is long, persistent, and voluminous. Silky, with a presence of refreshing acidity to ensure good longevity, and a tamed tannin. A wine in perfect condition, which will evolve in the bottle over the coming years.
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.