Roda Reserva 2008

Description

Often referred to as “the Grand Cru of Rioja”, Bodega Roda is a landmark in the old Riojan city of Haro. From the underground drives to the dedicated, floor-heated malolactic cellar, everything Roda does speaks of precision and fastidious attention to detail.  Fruit from each of its 17 vineyards is vinified separately and only after a year in barrel are decisions taken about the wines’ ultimate designation.  Irrespective of this though, Roda’s ground-breaking R&D work on the phenolic maturity of Tempranillo means that all their wines are famed for their ethereal balance, elegance and finesse.  From Sela through to their flagship Cirsion, the wines progress from the red-fruit spectrum to the black, all the while increasing in concentration and complexity, while retaining that signature finesse and balance.

Fruit is from vineyards in excess of 30 years (some up to 80 years old), grown organically, aged in French barrels, neither filtered nor fined.  Each vintage is made “on its merits” to reflect style of the vintage (rather than an application of a recipe).  …Aromatic, fresh red berry thru’ to black fruit, some dark chocolate and tar/roast meat underneath with fine silky tannins.  Ooodles of class and sophistication in their fine reds.

The team at Roda are not merely dedicated, they are detail-obsessed. Perhaps the most impressive (mahogany-scented) winery you will ever see; everything is about the production and retention of grape quality – the modern approach to wine through viticulture is nowhere given more commitment. All of the fruit is off vineyards in excess of 30 years (some up to 80 years old), grown organically. Fermentation in foudre, and aged in French barrels, with a minimum of oxidative handling, and neither filtered nor fined. Significantly, each vintage is made “on its merits” – work levels, style, etc are responses to vintage realities – not applications of a recipe.

The red+black fruits palate continues with amazing freshness and balance….forest floor, roast meat, tobacco, violets, …  a nice sense of crispness works into the back stretch where fine oak, natural acid, a long mineral flourish, Roda’s trademark amazing velvet fruit tannins and a boof of purple florals all feature in a quiet riot. Composed, sensual and taut, packed with complex flavour and textures, it’s a supremely delicate and deft wine with depth concentration and more pronounced oak influence. 97% Tempranillo and a little Graciano from 35-80 yr old vineyards. All class and sophistication in this fine wine.  RRP $115