Amézola de la Mora is an impressive ‘château’ with a special location in Rioja Alta, in Torremontalvo. It is one of the few Rioja wineries with all its vineyards surrounding the winery, in the purest Bordeaux style. A total of 60 hectares that have reached full maturity, which are the source of this fantastic Señorío de Amézola Reserva 2019. Endorsed by an Excellent vintage and aged for a long 35 months in barrels, mostly French oak. All the elegance of great classic Riojas in a bottle. Rated 92 points by the British Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Grape variety
30% Graciano, 70% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
30% American oak barrels and 70% French oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux Bottle
Barrel aging time
35 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Señorío de Amézola Reserva 2019 is born from a vintage classified as Excellent in the D.O.Ca. Rioja. Made with a blend of 70% tempranillo and 30% graciano, its grapes come exclusively – as with all the wines from the winery – from the 60 hectares of estate-owned vineyards surrounding the facilities, located in the heart of Rioja Alta, evoking the concept of a French château. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone, and for this vintage, the historic Barbarroja and Arenillas estates were selected, with vines over 55 years old.
The harvest was carried out manually, with a meticulous selection of the clusters. After destemming, each variety fermented separately in stainless steel tanks. Maceration lasted 26 days, with periodic pump-overs to enhance extraction and contact with the skins. Once this process was completed, pressing was carried out. The aging of this red wine lasted 35 months, in barrels of 30% American oak and 70% French oak.
Amézola de la Mora is one of the most interesting wineries in Rioja Alta. Founded by brothers Íñigo and Javier Amézola in 1986, it is located in Torremontalbo, in the heart of Rioja Alta, in a privileged spot at the confluence of the Ebro and Najerilla rivers. The construction of Bodegas Amézola de la Mora's facilities was carried out using part of the old cellars and caves from the first half of the 19th century that already existed at its current location, preserving the charm of the past.
Surrounding the winery are the 60 hectares of vineyards that supply the estate, following the style of Bordeaux châteaux, allowing for absolute control of the fruits throughout their ripening and quick transport for vinification.
Cristina Downes, Íñigo's widow, took over the winery in the late '90s. Since 2005, her daughters Cristina and María Amézola Downes, the fifth generation, have continued the excellent work started by their father. The winery has undergone a wonderful and subtle modernization, including more moderate aging, the introduction of French oak – in addition to American oak – and a wine
Tasting notes
Intense aroma of ripe red fruit with slight hints of red pepper and rosemary.
On the palate, it is an expressive, balanced, and fresh wine. Well integrated with the wood, with a long and velvety finish.
The winery
The origins of Bodegas Amézola de la Mora date back to the early 19th century in Torremontalbo (La Rioja Alta). At the end of that same century, the phylloxera plague forced its owner to indefinitely halt winemaking activities. This pause lasted until 1986, when brothers Íñigo and Javier Amézola, great-grandsons of the founder, revived the winery and turned it into one of the most prominent in the region.
Although the winery is currently managed by Íñigo's daughters, the owner is Cristina Amézola Downes, their mother and Íñigo's widow. This generational change ensures that the project will endure over time with the same clarity as before. The château-style winery features cellars and underground caves, along with 70 hectares of its own vineyards. It produces a comprehensive range of seven wines, all of which boast more than notable quality.