Viñedos Hermanos Hernáiz : Finca la Empératriz Viñedo Singular Tinto 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Finca la Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto 2018 Viñedos Hermanos Hernáiz

Tasting

Color

The color shows a dense, deep red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals clean, precise aromas of black fruit, accompanied by notes of violet, black tea, dark chocolate and spices reminiscent of gingerbread.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its aromatic, fruity and balanced character. The tannins are firm yet finely honed, carried by aromas of plums, blackberries and cherries. The body ranges from medium to full, while the finish lingers with persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, game and small game birds. It also goes very well with lamb preparations and Mediterranean dishes based on grilled meats.

Serving and cellaring

Finca la Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but has cellaring potential through around 2040.

A red wine from La Rioja with complex aromas and an elegant structure

The estate

Viñedos Hermanos Hernáiz is a family estate located in the northwest of Rioja Alta, in Baños de Rioja. Acquired in 1996 by brothers Eduardo and Víctor Hernáiz, the property spans 101 hectares, including 82 hectares of vines spread across 23 plots. Formerly owned by Eugenia de Montijo, the last Empress of France and wife of Napoléon III, the estate produced its first wines in 2000 after four years of restoration. The Hernáiz brothers have practiced regenerative viticulture for over fifteen years and work exclusively with their own vineyards, a unique approach in La Rioja. The estate is renowned for its outstanding wines expressing the singularity of this high-altitude terroir.

The vineyard

Finca la Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto 2018 comes from the estate’s oldest plots, located at 570 meters above sea level on the highest plateau of Rioja Alta. The Tempranillo vines, aged 50 to 65 years, are planted on poor soils made up of a 40-centimeter layer of white pebbles over a sandy-silty subsoil. These well-draining, reflective soils create controlled water stress, encouraging grape concentration. The cool continental climate, tempered by the influence of the Bay of Biscay, allows for slow, gradual ripening of Tempranillo, ideal for developing aromatic complexity and freshness.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions, allowing optimal grape ripening. The grapes were hand-harvested between October 10 and 12, capturing the fruit at ideal phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

After rigorous sorting-table selection, the grapes for Finca la Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto 2018 are fully destemmed; 40% are then crushed while 60% remain as whole berries. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts. A five-day cold soak precedes a total maceration of twenty days on the skins. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels. The aging of this Spanish wine lasts 18 months in barrels, 60% new French oak and 40% second-use American oak.

Grape varieties

Tempranillo (76%), Garnacha Tinta (20%), Viura (4%)