Bodegas Forcada Reserva Rioja 2016

Tasting Notes

Bodegas Forcada is in a unique area of the Rioja appellation designated by UNESCO as a “Biosphere Reserve”. The winery is the only one allowed to incorporate the logo “La Rioja, Biosphere Reserve” on its back label. The mark identifies companies which operate on organic principles and are transparent and accountable to the environment, consumers and their own workers.

The estate tends 65 hectares of vineyards in the Alcarama Mountain range with an additional 70 hectares they farm on behalf of family members. Many of the vines were planted by David Forcada’s grandfather in the early 20th century and still produce today. You can see from the accompanying photographs taken from a visit by one of our colleagues in 2016 that the environment of the Forcada vineyards is very desolate and dry.

The 2016 Bodegas Forcada “Flor de Baco” Rioja Reserva is produced from vines up to 90 years old that are organically grown and hand harvested. Aging takes place in new American and French oak barrels for 14 months followed by a long refinement in the bottle. This marks the second release of this wine from the esteemed 2016 vintage. We were lucky to secure this additional allotment after the last offer sold quickly in February of 2023.

In the glass the wine is a deep cherry red with bricky hues at the rim. The bouquet displays rich and complex aromas of black cherry, plum, coffee, dark chocolate and vanilla, interwoven with a mellow earthiness. The impression in the mouth is soft and velvety as the extended aging of this Rioja Reserva presents a well matured tannic structure that leads to a long and lingering finish. A delicious wine for a cold winter’s evening.

Food Pairings

Grilled red meats (especially lamb), barbecued or roasted pork, vegetable stews, Albondigas, Manchego Cheese, cured Spanish ham and/or chorizo and olives.