From the venerable Rioja Alta vineyards of the Beronia estate, the 1980 “5º Año” stands as one of the house’s earliest commercial releases—crafted shortly after the winery’s foundation in 1973 and capturing the ambition of a new Rioja era. Hailing from a vintage noted for its consistency across the region, this bottling carries the story of a producer striving for quality beyond bulk‑wine conventions, making it a piece of Rioja history.

In the glass, expect a deep garnet hue softened by four decades of age, and an aromatic profile that shifts from dried cherry and plum to notes of saddle‑leather, cedar chest and forest floor. The palate offers refined structure: supple yet present tannins, balanced acidity. This is a collectible Rioja designed not for the moment of purchase, but for the slow turning of the hour‑glass. Decant gently and pair it with richly roasted lamb or aged Manchego to honour its lineage and age.