GRAPE VARIETAL
Tempranillo-led Rioja blend (some vintages include small amounts of Graciano and/or Mazuelo) aimed at long aging, balancing red fruit, spice, and lift.
APPELLATION
Rioja DOCa (Spain): grapes typically sourced from higher, cooler zones of Rioja Alta and/or Rioja Alavesa where Gran Reserva styles excel.
TERROIR
Mixed clay-limestone and stony alluvial soils at roughly 400–700 meters, influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean currents; warm days and cool nights promote slow ripening and fine tannins.
VINIFICATION
Careful sorting, destemmed fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks with moderate extraction; extended aging to Gran Reserva standards—about five years total with ~24+ months in French/American oak and long bottle rest to integrate texture and aromatics.
TASTING NOTES
Mature red cherry and dried plum layered with cedar, tobacco, vanilla, and a hint of leather; medium body, fresh acidity, and polished, long-grained tannins leading to a savory, persistent finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast lamb or pork, jamón and aged Manchego, mushroom ragù, grilled peppers and onions, paella with rabbit or morcilla, and herb-roasted chicken; also shines with simply grilled tuna or bonito.
Rioja, a name practically synonymous with Spanish wine, is a venerable and dynamic wine region in north-central Spain. Modern-day Rioja is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental, each offering unique microclimates and soil compositions. The vignerons in Rioja focus primarily on red wine production, and Tempranillo is the region’s flagship grape. Other significant red varieties include Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, while Viura leads the white varieties, accompanied by Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia. Rioja’s diverse terroir and innovative winemaking techniques contribute to the distinct profiles of its wines, ranging from vibrant and fruity to rich and complex.
Rioja wines are differentiated by their aging process and classified into four categories that generally allude to their character and complexity. This system underscores Rioja’s commitment to quality and the region’s mastery of oak aging.
Joven wines are young, often released in the year following the harvest, capturing fresh and fruity characteristics. Crianza wines are aged for a minimum of two years, with at least one year in oak barrels, offering a balance between fruit and oak influence.
Reserva wines undergo a three-year aging process, with at least one year in oak, resulting in a super-complex blend of fruit and oak spice while also introducing a wealth of tertiary flavors.
The top tier of Rioja’s aging classification is Gran Reserva, requiring at least two years in oak and three years in the bottle, producing wines of exceptional depth, complexity, and aging potential.
Marquis del Silvo is a private label project I sourced from one of my favorite European connections — the wife and husband team of Eva López and Ignacio Alonso. They have excellent relationships with top estates and vignerons throughout Spain, and their wines are always standout customer and staff favorites in our Spanish department.
Since I source this directly through my import partner, it eliminates the “nickels” tacked on by middlemen. This way, I can offer AWM locals and newsletter subscribers top-quality Gran Reserva at a price most would pay for Crianza. And even better, everyone from vigneron to importer has absorbed some of the tariff pain, so for local AWM customers and newsletter subscribers, the price is the same as last year!
Winter in Rioja vineyards — AWM Buying Trip to Spain
The Marques del Silvo Gran Reserva is a powerful, complex, and elegant expression of Tempranillo. The grapes for this Gran Reserva are sourced from the estate’s best vineyards, from vines at least seventy years old. Thirty months of aging in French and American oak and extended aging in bottle before release provide the perfect counterpoint to the lush fruit.
In your glass, richly layered aromas of blackberries, red licorice, vanilla, and roasted herbs introduce the silky, concentrated fruit. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, balsamic, dusty cocoa, and savory herbs treat the palate through the long, savory, and spicy finish.
Classic food pairings for this Gran Reserva include roasted lamb, grilled meats, and aged Manchego, all playing beautifully with the wine’s robust balance of fruit and oak aging. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider pairing along side a mildly-spiced Moroccan tagine or a grilled vegetable risotto.
Marquis del Silvo Gran Reserva is a superbly elegant red, and the estate really nailed it with the decision to age this wine in a more significant percentage of French oak. Backing off a tad on the American oak allowed the gorgeous old-vine fruit to shine in its full glory!
Don’t miss this one if you’re a fan of Old-School Rioja!