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Mayor de Ondarre Rioja Reserva
Kevin's comments: Big concentrated fruit, well balanced with a smooth texture and a well-structured and persistent finish.
Chateau Tasting Notes
BODEGAS ONDARRE MAYOR DE ONDARRE RIOJA RESERVA
Rioja is the leading wine region of Spain producing predominantly red wines in the north of the country.
When in the 1880's phylloxera struck in the Bordeaux region many of its vignerons crossed the border into Spain, bringing their winemaking skills. They set out to serve mainly the needs of the French market with wine made in Rioja according to French methods; the barrica, identical to the Bordeaux barriques of 225L, was introduced to mature the wines for 2 to 3 years and is still used in Rioja to this day.
Bodegas Ondare, whose winery is in Viana 10KM from Logrono, the Riojas capital, has all the advantages of a bodega which was conceived and designed with a new philosophy, and equipped with the very latest vinification equipment, housed in spacious, tastefully designed buildings.
The whole process of production and ageing, from the arrival of the grapes at the winery through to the extraction of the must, its fermentation at low temperatures and the selection of locally-produced yeasts, is carried out with the most advanced equipment. This modern equipment is used in conjunction with the well-tried, traditional methods and the old wisdom of the bodegueros of the Rioja which have given such fame and prestige to the wines of the region.
Bodegas Ondarre is, without doubt, one of the most modern bodegas in the Rioja, rivalling the most advanced in the world.
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Vinification: In temperature controlled stainless steel vats, at
27C . Specially selected yeasts are used. Maceration on skins lasted 17 days. After alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation took
place in stainless steel vats with 2 rackings.
Ageing: 24 months in new French oak bariques, 60% in Allier and 40% in Limousin. Racking from barrel to barrel every 6 months. The wine is only released for sale when it is ready for drinking at its best.
Colour: Intense ruby red
Serve: At room temperature to accompany roast meats, game and cheese.
Taste: Big concentrated fruit, full-bodied and well balanced, will continue to age well in bottle.
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