Finca La Emperatriz -The Empress’s Estate- is a historic vineyard in Baños de Rioja that once belonged to the last Empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo.
12 km from Haro, nestled between the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda Mountain ranges, Finca La Emperatriz is located at the northwestern end of the Rioja DOC, at 570 m above sea level in one of the highest plateaux in the Rioja Alta.
In 1996, the Hernáiz family purchased that same estate, and brothers Eduardo and Victor Hernáiz took charge of a project to produce quality wines.
Part of the vineyard, the older vines, is officially classified in Rioja as a “Viñedo Singular”, a new system in Rioja since 2017, equivalent to the Cru system in France to identify and protect outstanding pieces of the vineyard. Of just 200 Ha in the whole of Rioja, Finca la Emperatriz accounts for 35 Ha., all in one piece.
The soil of Finca La Emperatriz is unique in La Rioja. A poor, extremely hard soil provides the wines with a distinctive elegance, minerality and great ageing potential.
Grape
100% Viura
Vineyard & Vinification Note
Region D.O.Ca Rioja, Rioja Alta.
Terroir Impressive terroir with a layer of large white pebbles to a depth of about 40 cm, covering a loose, sandy sub-soil. It is an ideal soil to grow vines, as it has excellent drainage and plenty of light and the roots are well placed to receive all the required nutrients. The wines produced from this type of soil are fine and elegant.
Vineyard 50-65 years old bush vines. With the same type of soil, gravel and pebbles on the surface. At 570 meters altitude. Yields of 6,700 kg/ha (43,60 hl/ha).
Harvest Hand-harvested into 180 kg crates on the 8th and 9th of October
Wine-making Grape selection at the sorting table. 6 hours of skin maceration. Half of the wine fermented in a concrete tank, and the other half in 225-litre barrels. 4 months of lees ageing with very spaced battonage.
Ageing: 8 months in concrete tank and 9 months in French oak barrels, 1/3 new, 1/3 of second use and 1/3 of third-use.
2018 Harvest:
The year was very unstable, cold, and wet. The hail that fell at the beginning of July affected some plots slightly which, together with the hail that fell in September, attacked the most delicate berries. This, along with an excess of humidity, made necessary a greater sanitary control in vegetation management and treatments. Ripening was slower than usual, although the rain respected a long harvest with mild temperatures. An exhaustive selection of bunches was necessary, first in the field and then through a shorting table in the winery, to eliminate the affected parts. Only old vines are used to elaborate this wine.
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
The white 2018 Finca la Emperatriz Blanco is the first of two estate bottlings, looking for finesse and aging potential with complexity and freshness in the style of a grand vin from Bordeaux. It’s balsamic and complex despite its youth, with incipient notes of chamomile, verbena and pollen and a round palate with a dry finish. 14,000 bottles and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in April 2020. It seems like this will qualify as a Viñedo Singular, the new single-vineyard wine category from Rioja. I had the chance to follow the 2017, which is evolving quite fast, and the 2016, which is aging more gracefully. 93+ Points, Luis Gutiérrez, July 2022
James Suckling Tasting Note
Fresh and creamy nose with some sweet vanilla, spices and lemons. A full-bodied white with fresh but supple acidity, delivered in a creamy, smooth palate. Drink now. 90 Points, June 2022
Tim Atkin: 94 Points
Food Pairing
This white Rioja will pair well with Spanish dishes such as paella, tortilla, salt cod, serrano ham. Also great with asparagus, vegetable stew, rich fish such as tuna, roast chicken and pork
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