The Finca de la Emperatriz Viñedo Singular is the premium wine from Hermanos Hernáiz. Vinedo Singular is the designation of the highest quality level of the Rioja DOCa. It comes from a high-altitude single vineyard with large white stones and consists of around three quarters Tempranillo, almost a quarter Garnacha and some white Viura vine, in the case of the 2017 this was 2%. Adding a tiny bit of white wine grapes to red wines is not traditionally uncommon, Chianti and Côte-Rôtie can do the same.
The harvest is checked again at the sorting table for suitability for the Vinedo Singular before the must is filled into concrete tanks for fermentation. All grape varieties are put into the tank together. The subsequent aging takes place 60% in new French oak barrels and 40% in used American oak barrels. A very well considered concept to curb the louder American oak by not using new casks, because the aroma of the American wood goes very well with the Tempranillo.
2017 was a year of spring frosts, which naturally kept the yield very low. The result was very concentrated, as the very old vines of Finca Emperatriz were able to concentrate on just a few grapes and brought them to perfect maturity.
This highlight among the Rioja wines has a dark red color. The scent is reminiscent of ripe blackberries and cassis, cherries, tobacco and lots of fine wood can also be found. It presented itself lush on the palate, its silky tannins are present and marble the fruit and the extract up to the extremely long finish. A grand delight! Tim Atkin got a 94/100 for it, Guia Proensa even got a 95/100. Sensational ratings for a Rioja for just over €30 a bottle.
