Thursday, April 2, 2026For the long weekend, red wine review is a lovely Tempranillo from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines for Easter in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
Like the 2020 Burgo Viejo Reserva I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Bodegas Burgo Viejo, a co-operative style of winery that was formed at the end of the 1980s by six neighbouring families in La Rioja, Spain. The winegrowing families of Castillo Garcia, Galán Garijo, Gurría García, Marques Malumbres, Rivas Marques, and Ruiz Casas came together, along with their vineyards, winegrowing traditions, and age-old knowledge that was passed down from one generation to the next to create wines with an innovative spirit under a single brand.
Together, they have 200 hectares of vineyards that they cultivate with care, and are able to produce a wide range of wines that combine the tradition of La Rioja with new market trends that meet the demands of consumers worldwide. Their vines average 30+ years of age, with some dating back almost a century, while newer plantings are grown organically and represent the future.
While Burgo Viejo has several lines of wines, this particular wine is the lone wine in the Licenciado range. This wine has been crafted since at least the 2006 vintage and represented a shift in Burgo Viejo's philosophy to premium, estate wines. It also coincided with the time of Mr. Gorka Etxebarria's arrival at Burgo Viejo in 2003. Gorka holds a Graduate Degree in Oenology from the University of La Rioja and has worked for some of Rioja's most prestigious wineries. Since 2003, Gorka has been leading the winemaking process at Burgo Viejo, where he combines an innovative approach with traditional methods to produce the finest results that the wonderful vineyards have to offer.
This red wine is crafted with 100% Tempranillo that was grown in vineyards throughout the municipality of Alfaro in La Rioja of Spain, at the foot of the Yerga Mountain and on the banks of the fertile Ebro valley. This area offers a wide diversity of soils and microclimates where Tempranillo — the flagship variety of the region — thrives and becomes a special Rioja wine. As the vineyards are owned by Bodegas Burgo Viejo, the team constantly works the vineyards as required in order to produce top-quality grapes, as well as decides the precise time for harvest.
It was vinified by de-stemming and lightly crushing the grapes, followed by a temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It also underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, and then was matured for at least 18 months in 225 L oak barriques.
In 2020, the hot growing season featured rainfall and early budding, which resulted in an early and uneven harvest. Some areas were also severely hit by hail and mildew, which resulted in smaller yields in these areas, while areas not impacted by these conditions had more generous yields. Rainfall in September also presented challenges, but those that harvested after the rain benefited from northern winds and generally excellent conditions, produced balanced wines with moderate alcohol, good acidity, and deep colour. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2020 Tempranillo Rioja Reserva is tasting tonight...
This 100% Tempranillo has lovely, medium-high intensity aromas that are clean and well-balanced with ripe dark red berry, black cherry, coconut, and oak spice, plus touches of floral, wild raspberry, savoury earth, and cocoa. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has more dark red berry notes of strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry nuanced with coconut, oak spice, earth, and cocoa notes. It's well-structured with crisp and succulent acidity, along with refined, dusty textured tannins that are a touch grippy on the back palate. Savoury with coconut, toasty oak, and earthy notes on the long finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the coming 5-7 years. Score: 89 pts
Other lovely wines by Burgo Viejo can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.
Like the 2020 Burgo Viejo Reserva I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Bodegas Burgo Viejo, a co-operative style of winery that was formed at the end of the 1980s by six neighbouring families in La Rioja, Spain. The winegrowing families of Castillo Garcia, Galán Garijo, Gurría García, Marques Malumbres, Rivas Marques, and Ruiz Casas came together, along with their vineyards, winegrowing traditions, and age-old knowledge that was passed down from one generation to the next to create wines with an innovative spirit under a single brand.
Together, they have 200 hectares of vineyards that they cultivate with care, and are able to produce a wide range of wines that combine the tradition of La Rioja with new market trends that meet the demands of consumers worldwide. Their vines average 30+ years of age, with some dating back almost a century, while newer plantings are grown organically and represent the future.
While Burgo Viejo has several lines of wines, this particular wine is the lone wine in the Licenciado range. This wine has been crafted since at least the 2006 vintage and represented a shift in Burgo Viejo's philosophy to premium, estate wines. It also coincided with the time of Mr. Gorka Etxebarria's arrival at Burgo Viejo in 2003. Gorka holds a Graduate Degree in Oenology from the University of La Rioja and has worked for some of Rioja's most prestigious wineries. Since 2003, Gorka has been leading the winemaking process at Burgo Viejo, where he combines an innovative approach with traditional methods to produce the finest results that the wonderful vineyards have to offer.
This red wine is crafted with 100% Tempranillo that was grown in vineyards throughout the municipality of Alfaro in La Rioja of Spain, at the foot of the Yerga Mountain and on the banks of the fertile Ebro valley. This area offers a wide diversity of soils and microclimates where Tempranillo — the flagship variety of the region — thrives and becomes a special Rioja wine. As the vineyards are owned by Bodegas Burgo Viejo, the team constantly works the vineyards as required in order to produce top-quality grapes, as well as decides the precise time for harvest.
It was vinified by de-stemming and lightly crushing the grapes, followed by a temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It also underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, and then was matured for at least 18 months in 225 L oak barriques.
In 2020, the hot growing season featured rainfall and early budding, which resulted in an early and uneven harvest. Some areas were also severely hit by hail and mildew, which resulted in smaller yields in these areas, while areas not impacted by these conditions had more generous yields. Rainfall in September also presented challenges, but those that harvested after the rain benefited from northern winds and generally excellent conditions, produced balanced wines with moderate alcohol, good acidity, and deep colour. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2020 Tempranillo Rioja Reserva is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
LICENCIADO RESERVA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#370023) (XD) - $19.95This 100% Tempranillo has lovely, medium-high intensity aromas that are clean and well-balanced with ripe dark red berry, black cherry, coconut, and oak spice, plus touches of floral, wild raspberry, savoury earth, and cocoa. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has more dark red berry notes of strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry nuanced with coconut, oak spice, earth, and cocoa notes. It's well-structured with crisp and succulent acidity, along with refined, dusty textured tannins that are a touch grippy on the back palate. Savoury with coconut, toasty oak, and earthy notes on the long finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the coming 5-7 years. Score: 89 pts
Other lovely wines by Burgo Viejo can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.
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