Most of you are already well aware of the joys that lie in a bottle of 30 year old Rioja that comes directly from a cold, Spanish cellar–the 1994 El Coto was one of our best sellers last year, and this 1995 is every bit as revelatory. This iconic estate is among the most influential and universally known Rioja producers of contemporary times. With its wonderful elegance, complex tertiary flavors, and savory/woodsy perfumes, this Tempranillo antiquity is a truly sublime, mature wine experience. It probably goes without saying, but the opportunity to acquire a deeply traditional Rioja with perfect provenance and substantial age shrinks with each passing day. And don’t forget to buy a few extra so you’re ready for 30th birthday and anniversary celebrations–and given the outrageously good price you really can’t afford not to!
Although Bodega El Coto was only founded in 1970, their presence today is truly staggering: They’re the leading brand for Crianza and Reserva categories, they own eight farms, and they’re responsible for the cultivation of hundreds of hectares throughout Rioja. Those culled to craft “Coto de Imaz” Reserva come specifically from their best-performing vines in the famed sub-zone of Rioja Alta.
Despite a large annual production, El Coto produces resolutely classic Riojas that are built for decades of evolution, as evidenced by today’s 1995 “Vinto Tinto de Crianza.” It’s 100% Tempranillo aged in new and used American oak for no less than 18 months before bottling. Afterward, the wine rested another six months prior to its initial commercial release. This specific parcel was stashed away in a cold Riojan cellar for the next 25+ years before it was packed up a few months ago and shipped our way. These wines appear to be under their original corks, so we strongly recommend using a two-pronged “ah-so” opener. If opening with a standard wine key, please gently drive the corkscrew all the way in, at an angle, and pull out as slowly and uniformly as possible.
Before dipping your nose in, serve this at around 60-65 degrees and allow several minutes for it to open up in a Bordeaux stem. Then, give it a few light swirls and prepare yourself for a sublime and nuanced display of dried cherry, green strawberry, sous bois, plum skin, mushroom stock, dill, sandalwood, redcurrant, damp herbs, and hints of espresso. The wine is medium-bodied and impossibly graceful, with each layer gliding across the palate without a hard/angular tannin in sight. We enjoyed our bottle over the course of three hours and the last ounce still showed substantial vigor. Meaning, buy more than one! We anticipate that this will continue to drink beautifully over the next 3-5 years. Cheers!
