1952 Bodegas Franco-Españolas, Excelso - Rioja Gran Reserva - 1 Flasche (0,75 l)

Wine bought directly from the racks of the old winery of Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja) in 2015.
Stored in private cellar up to today in excellent condition: high filling level, cork, color, capsule, label, no leakage. Fully mature and therefore drinking well now, or cellar for next 20-25 years.

Vintage 1952 is unanimously considered one of the best harvests of the 20th century in Rioja. It was the third vintage to be considered "Excellent" (after 1934 and 1948) by the Regulatory Board of Rioja since the beginning of this century.

"Excelso" was the flagship wine produced by Bodegas Franco-Españolas. A very limited edition vinified only in the best vintages. All casks used to age and mature "Royal Tête de Cuvée Gran Reserva" were tasted, one by one, in the second and the third year. The finest barrels were selected and a small quantity and racked to another barrel to be aged separately. It was so expensive for the Spanish market that it was hardly ever on sale in Spain itself.

80% tempranillo, 10% garnacha, 10% mazuelo. Vinified and matured in big wooden vats for 18-24 months, from the founding time of the winery (1901), with no temperature control. Poured to cask and aged for 96 months, 8 years. Racked 13 times, once every 6 months, using the traditional cask-to-cask Riojan method. Bottled in 1964 and placed on the market in 1974.

*** All international parcels are shipped with the highest standards of quality: through the premium “UPS International Express”, the fastest service against signature provided by the courier. Packed in a special wine box officially certified by UPS / DHL. Bottles are packed individually, one by one, and wrapped in 3 layers of bubble wrap. Due to the nature of the wine and the value of the products all lots are shipped with insurance coverage. ***