The 2007 Finca la Emperatriz Crianza, a blend of 90% Tempranillo with the balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Viura, spent 14 months in barriques. A nose of cedar, leather, violets, and black fruits leads to a wine with decent depth, a bit of structure, and some complexity. The flavors are plump and savory but slightly superficial, a minor criticism for a wine at this price point. It should drink nicely for at least another 5 years.
Finca La Emperatriz (The Empress – named after the wife of Emperor Napolean III who once owned the land) is an unusually large 220 acre parcel in Rioja Alta that has never been sub-divided. The current owners, the Hernaiz family, purchased it in 1996 and constructed their winery in 2000. Half of the vineyard is over 50 years old with the majority planted to Tempranillo and the balance Viura, Garnacha, and small amounts of Mazuelo and Graciano.
Importer: Vinergia USA, Manhasset, NY