Bodegas Escudero Serna Imperial Reserva Rioja 2015 750ml

Bodegas Escudero · Serna Imperial Reserva · Rioja Baja, Spain · 2015 · 750ml

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852, and four generations on it's still very much a family business. Of their 150 hectares of vineyards, 120 sit on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga range in Rioja Baja, where the grapes for Serna Imperial are grown. The vines are around 40 years old and planted between 450 and 800 meters above sea level.

Predominantly Tempranillo, blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this Reserva spent 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle before release. The result is a mature, harmonious Rioja with real character, now showing the savory complexity that comes with age.

Winemaker Description

Brick red deep covered. Clean, complex and with a good intensity on the nose. Red fruit aromas well conjoined with those of the aging. Balsam, spices (pepper), tobacco and leather. Well structured, tasty, large, soft but with character and a good harmony in its flavors. Complex and retronasal clean.

Bodegas Escudero

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2015

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852 and, four generations on, it is still very much a family business. They own a total of 150ha of vineyards, of which 120ha are located on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga mountain range, where the grapes for this wine are produced. The vines are grown at between 450m-800m above sea level and are approximately 40 years old. Predominantly made from Tempranillo blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this reserva was aged for 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle.

Decanter, 95 Points

Supple, juicy, well-balanced, fully rounded. A lovely vintage and a great wine.

Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter

A broad and generous mouthfeel, the tannic grip still persuasive, but acidity is wrapped around the black fruit core with subtle conviction.

Simon Field, Decanter

Liquorice and dark fruit, compact, quite complex, framed by muscular tannins, underlying depth that unfurls in the glass, and really good length. Drinking Window 2020 - 2023

Pierre Mansour, Decanter

Pairings & Serving

Serve at 60–65°F and give it 30 minutes to an hour in a decanter to open up. A classic partner for roast lamb, grilled steak, chorizo, jamón, wild mushrooms and aged Manchego.

Specs

• Producer: Bodegas Escudero
• Wine: Serna Imperial Reserva
• Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Rioja Baja, Rioja, Spain
• Blend: Predominantly Tempranillo, with Mazuelo and Garnacha
• Vineyards: Southern slopes of Monte Yerga, 450–800m, ~40-year-old vines
• Aging: 14 months in five-year-old American oak, plus 28 months in bottle
• Rating: Decanter 95 points
• Size: 750ml

A 95-point, decade-old Rioja Reserva from a family making wine since 1852.