The world champion, if you ask us, because this Voche Rioja Reserva has quite the list of awards! The unprecedented list includes the James Suckling 2018 93 puntos, Mundus Vini 2018 Medalla plata, and Decanter 2018 Medalla bronce. Yes, we're even awarding it double gold, because this is such a gem! The Voche winery is part of Manzanos, a well-known winery in Spain. Operating for hundreds of years, the winery has a wealth of experience. Voche is produced at Bodega Azagra and is made by Víctor Fernández de Manzanos Pastor, father of the current owner.
The old Rioja vineyard of Voche
The winery is situated at the top of a hill and has four different plots at varying elevations. This gives each plot its own unique style, resulting in a Rioja that is both powerful and versatile. Tempranillo and Graciano are grown here for this wine, and because the region is very dry, the roots are deep in the soil. This results in great depth and richness in the wine—a real achievement. After the hand harvest and a rigorous selection process, carried out almost exclusively by female staff, this Crianza undergoes 24 months of oak aging. At Voche, they use only French oak, half of which has never been used. This fresh oak imparts a rich flavor to the wine but is also very expensive; nothing is good enough for this Reserva! After this period, it is bottle-aged in the Voche cellars for another 24 months. Finally, after 48 months of rest, this gem is ready to drink.
Full and very powerful this Voche Rioja Reserva
Now, get the streamers and balloons up, because the party can begin! The aroma offers a broad bouquet of black fruit, spicy notes of herbs and vanilla, plenty of oak and black pepper, chocolate and tobacco, and also pomegranate and licorice. Too much to list, really, and that's reflected in the taste; enchanting is the perfect word. Flavor nuances of black fruit, black pepper, bay leaf, vanilla, and oak are just the beginning. Taste and savor, and let yourself be enchanted by this Voche Rioja Reserva.