Viña Salceda Conde de la Salceda

Region • Rioja, D. O. Calificada
Grape variety • 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Style of wine • Reserva
Vintage • 2004
Ageing • 18 months in French oak barrels from Allier (225 liters)

Climactic Charactersitics of the 2004 Vintage
The vines experienced a healthy development throughout the entire vegetative cycle of 2004, thanks to weather that, in general, was favourable for a very high quality harvest. Abundant precipitations during the winter, in the form of both rain and snow, especially during the months just before budburst, provided ample water for the needs of the vines.
The 11th of September marked the beginning of a period of perfect weather, which lasted through the end of the harvest. The days were sunny with moderate temperatures, and a dominant north-northwest wind brought cool nights. These factors provided for an excellent quality in the grape as it entered the winery, with excellent color, a perfect level of alcohol, and an excellent capacity to produce aged wines.

Characteristics of the Wine

The wine is primarily Tempranillo grape, which is hand picked and hand selected from our oldest vineyards in Elciego and Laguardia. The yields are very low, and the exhaustive cultivate control allows this variety to express all its excellent qualities.
The winemaking methods combine the most traditional practices of Rioja Alta and Alavesa with the most modern oenological criteria to concentrate and conserve in this wine all of the personality of this region. The ageing took place in new barrels of French oak from Allier.
This limited production wine received a delicate artisan treatment during the whole ageing process, with the objective of maintaining intact all of the original qualities of the grape. As a result, there sometimes may be natural sediments of the wine in the bottom of the bottle. In this case, we suggest that the wine be decanted before it is served, which will, in addition, help bring out the fullness and complexity of this great wine.

Colour • Deep, dark cherry red. Brilliant, with touches of blue.

Aroma • Complex and powerful. Well integrated new French oak, cedar, with a background of black fruits and a subtle hint of flowers.

Palate • Powerful all the way through, ending with an elegant tannic structure. Long and fruity. Excellent balance of fruit and oak.