Grape Varieties
Tempranillo 92%, Mazuelo 8%
Winery
Bodegas Faustino trace their roots to 1861 when Eleuterio Martinez Arzox bought a palace and vineyards at Oyon from the Marques de Puerto and founded Bodegas Victorianas. His descendent Julio Faustino Martinez, son of Don Faustino, took over the business in 1955 and founded the Rioja brand Faustino in 1960. Today it is one of the major brands of Rioja sold all over the world and easily the best selling Rioja in Ireland. The company is still family owned and has expanded to include vineyards and winemaking facilities in Navarre, La Mancha and Ribera del Duero.
Winemaker
Rafael Martinez
Viticulture
Faustino own 650 ha of top quality vineyards throughout Rioja in the municipalities of Laguardia, Logrono, Mendavia and Oyon, growing at altitudes of 400-600m. This gives total control over the quality of their vital raw ingredients and allows them to be picked at optimum ripeness by hand and then transported in small baskets, to avoid crushing, to the winery.
Winemaking & Maturation
Fermentation takes place at a maximum of about 29º C and the skins are left to macerate after fermentation to produce finer tannins with the whole process taking about 20 days. Then the wine is aged in American oak barrels, from Missouri, for 16 months before at least another 2 - 3 years ageing in bottle prior to release. It is released ready to be enjoyed and in general the wine is at its peak from about 4 – 12 years after the vintage date but should give pleasure for several years after that.
Long Tasting Note
Colour: Bright cherry red with a tawny rim. Nose: Notes of toast and vanilla overlay berry fruit against a background of stewed fruits. Palate: A smooth yet robust wine with lightly spicy fruit and supple tannin.
Food Recommendations
This robust wine is particularly suite to roast lamb with garlic and rosemary or herb scented stews.
More information
www.bodegasfaustino.com
