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Spanish wines fans searching for a "steal of a deal" on great Rioja need look no further than the outstanding 93 pt. 2016 Bodegas Manzanos Voche Reserva, offering deep, mouth coating flavors of dark earthy fruit and spiced vanilla with powerful, satiny tannins structured to age at an incredible value price.
While Voche is a relatively new project from Bodegas Manzanos, the Manzanos family has been making wine along the Ebro River in Rioja for five generations, founding the oldest winery in Haro in 1801. Focusing on old vine fruit, the Voche Reserva is a blend of mostly Tempranillo and the lesser known Graciano, an inherently spicy, dark-skinned grape that enhances aromas and adds structure and freshness. Crafted from three distinct terroirs, the vineyards for the 2016 Voche Reserva include the oldest Graciano parcel in Rioja called El Barranco, its 70 plus year old vines planted on sandy soil with pebbles at around 400 meters of altitude. After fermenting in stainless steel, the powerful 2016 Voche Reserva aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second year French oak, then 24 months longer in bottle, finishing “long and compact” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson and built to evolve over the next decade.
From an exceptional vintage described as one of Spain’s “all-time greats” by Decanter’s Michael Schachner calling it, “a benchmark year against which future stellar vintages will be measured,” the muscular and opulent 93 pt. 2016 Bodegas Manzanos Voche Reserva delivers layers of bold flavors with smoky, earthy undertones that will have Rioja fans reaching for it again and again over the next decade, easy to do at this price. |