Finca la Emperatriz Rioja is the perfect encapsulation of Modern Rioja. This is a Rioja from a very specific place, a single vineyard that was planted in the 1950s, that is in the coolest Western part of the sub-region Rioja Alta near the village of Baños de Rioja. It is made in a historic manner, a co-fermented field blend of black and green varietals (70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 5% Viura), but with modern technology. It was then aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels. This is a wine that showcases the exciting terroir of Rioja, the unique blend of the traditional varieties, nods towards its past with the use of old oak barrels but is in conversation with the great wines of Bordeaux and Napa and refuses to be labeled like so many of its peers. The aromas are dominated by dark red fruits but aromatic and complex, layered with sweet, savory and earthy nuances. It is full-bodied, with solid, polished tannins and a fresh, long finish.
