Tarón Reserva 2016 has been awarded the highest recognition, the Grand Gold Medal, at the Spring Tasting of the Mundus Vini 2023 International Competition, considered the most important competition in Germany and one of the most renowned in Europe. The importance of this medal awarded to Tarón Reserva 2016 is paramount, as only 70 of the wines entered in the competition, i.e. less than 1%, have won it.

This edition of the competition was attended by 7,568 entries, which were evaluated by a professional jury made up of 242 experts – winemakers, producers, wine distributors, sommeliers and specialised journalists – from 46 countries.

The jury recognised the exclusivity of Tarón Reserva 2016, a wine that expresses the essence of this area of Rioja Alta and the wisdom of several generations of winegrowers who make up this cooperative, which was recently chosen by the renowned British Master of Wine Tim Atkin as “Cooperative of the Year”.

Tarón Reserva 2016 comes from vines over 50 years old spread over the four villages of Territorio Tarón: Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Sajazarra, Tirgo and Villaseca. These vineyards are harvested by hand, with yields of around 5,000 kg per hectare of production, where an exhaustive ripening control is carried out. In this way, the optimum harvesting time is sought to allow the wine to express its great potential and ageing capacity.

Made with a coupage of 90% tempranillo and 10% mazuelo, the grapes are harvested by hand in small crates. The grapes are carefully taken to the winery and the grapes or parts of the cluster that do not give the right profile are removed on a selection table.

In its production, priority is given to respecting the fruit as much as possible. It is cold macerated for the first 2-3 days and during fermentation it is pumped over daily. At the end of malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked and rests for a winter before being transferred to new American oak barrels. It remains there for 24 months in a semi-buried cellar with constant temperature and humidity throughout the year. After this time, the wine will spend another winter in a stainless steel tank to finish cleaning naturally, avoiding subsequent treatments that detract from its organoleptic characteristics. When it is ready, it will be bottled and will rest in a bottle with controlled temperature and humidity for at least 18 months before being put on the market.

Its ruby red colour stands out. It is clean and bright, with a medium-high robe. It has a pleasant nose, full of surprises: dried plums, hints of tobacco, elegant aromas of liquorice, spices and menthol notes with a slight mineral touch. In the mouth it expresses an elegant, ripe, tasty, fine and silky tannin, with a good acidity that balances the palate.

In its still brief trajectory, Tarón Reserva 2016 has already garnered good reviews from professionals, obtaining 92 James Suckling points, with the following commentary: “A medium-to full-bodied yet supple Rioja with notes of wild berries, vanilla, dark plums, black peppercorns, black walnuts, clove and dried mushrooms. Well structured and serious, with a long, savory and flavorful finish. Tempranillo and mazuelo. Vegan. Drink or hold”.