Producer Profile
Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza, Reserva Fincas De Ganuza, Rioja
With his extraordinary wine having been described as the ‘Chateau Latour of Rioja’ by none other than Robert Parker, what is really extraordinary is that Fernando Remírez de Ganuza only founded his Bodega as recently as 1989. Located in the picturesque village of Samaniego in the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa, Fernando, was a noted vineyard broker and knew this great region intimately. Like Bruno Giacosa in Piemonte he used his knowledge wisely to obtain the best vineyard plots of Rioja. Unlike Giacosa, he went further and bought them gaining control of these climats for himself. Remirez de Ganuza now own 68 hectares of prime vineyard spread across more than 100 plots with an average vine age of 60 years old and along with his extraordinary understanding of these local terroirs Fernando also learned to become one of the region’s top and most innovative winemakers.
Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza’s quest for perfection knows few equals and Fernando has implemented strict selection procedures and a revolutionary new technique. As the grape bunches pass along the sorting table Fernando separates the “hombros” (grape bunch shoulders) from the “puntas” (bunch tips). Only the higher quality “hombros” – richer in both colour and tannin – are selected for the reserve wines. It is these wine upon which the Bodega forges its great reputation. Basket presses are used for soft fermentations of the red wines, protected by wrapping the outside in polythene to avoid oxidising the skins.
Our Verdict:
The wines from Remirez de Ganuza are seriously impressive. Super clean and made to last. There is freshness in the wines and a style unmatched anywhere in the region.
