Tinto Crianza
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Classic Spanish tapas and cured meats, grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary, and medium-cured cheeses such as Manchego.
✨ Technical Specifications
Established in 1970 by Enrique Forner, Marqués de Cáceres revolutionized the Rioja wine scene by introducing progressive Bordeaux winemaking techniques to the historic region of Rioja Alta. Forner, who had spent years refining his craft in France at Châteaux Camensac and Larose-Trintaudon, challenged the traditional, heavily oxidized style of the era by championing temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation and a greater reliance on French oak barrels. The Tinto Crianza is the flagship bearer of this modern legacy. Sourced primarily from old, low-yielding bush vines in the clay-limestone soils of Cenicero, the wine is a classic blend dominated by Tempranillo, complemented by small portions of Garnacha Tinta and Graciano. It undergoes 12 months of aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels, followed by an additional year of refinement in the bottle, resulting in a vibrant expression defined by bright red berry fruit, subtle sweet spices, and silky tannins.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1970 by Enrique Forner in Cenicero, Marqués de Cáceres spearheaded the modern renaissance of Rioja. Drawing on his experience revitalizing Bordeaux estates like Château Camensac, Forner enlisted legendary oenologist Émile Peynaud to introduce temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation and French oak barriques, shifting focus toward vibrant fruit character rather than oxidation. Today directed by Enrique's daughter, Cristina Forner, the house collaborates closely with multi-generational growers across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, cultivating primarily Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano across calcareous clay and alluvial terraces sheltered by the Sierra de Cantabria. Beyond benchmark oak-matured Rioja expressions—such as Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, and the flagship cuvée Gaudium—the estate has strategically broadened its footprint. Its repertoire now includes crisp Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc from Rueda, Deusa Nai Albariño from Rías Baixas, and method traditional Cava, all maintaining the firm’s hallmark of meticulous quality, freshness, and structural finesse.
🍇 Grapes
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo