2010 Rioja & Spain Vintage

Weather through 2010 was especially favourable, which allowed ripening to progress in balance, phenolic and alcoholic alike. Flowering and fruit set came with some delay during June and gave a good set with mostly medium-high sized bunches; fruit set was likewise a little later than usual, in June. The cycle ran without significant incidents from weather, pests or disease, and 2010 avoided the late frosts, severe droughts and prolonged heat waves of other years, with notable stability across Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. The vines kept excellent vegetative and sanitary health to the end of the cycle. Ripening checks began in the last week of August, and after a previous campaign that ran about ten days early, ripening in 2010 kept to normal dates within the traditional average. At the fourth check, on 20 September, ripening had slowed in the areas that had rain that week, while much of the Tempranillo and Garnacha in the Rioja Baja reference vineyards had reached optimum ripeness and was being picked or close to it. Harvest began on 1 September at Aldeanueva de Ebro and ended on 31 October, with 395 million kg of grapes picked. Very moderate yields count among the keys to the vintage, and a decision was taken to cut yields by 10% for reds and 5% for whites to improve quality.

• Flowering and fruit set ran with some delay in June; good set, mostly medium-high sized bunches
• No significant weather, pest or disease incidents; excellent vine health to the end of the cycle
• Ripening on normal dates; rain in the week before 20 September slowed it where it fell
• Harvest 1 September to 31 October: 395 million kg, 362 million kg red and 33 million kg white

The Pleno of the Consejo Regulador approved the official "Excelente" (Excellent) rating for 2010 at its session of 1 April 2011. Excelente is the highest grade the Denomination awards, and it had not been given since 2005: in the previous decade only 2001, 2004 and 2005 earned it, while the four vintages before 2010 were rated "Muy Buena" (Very Good). The rating rests on analysis and tasting of more than four thousand samples representing the 284.29 million litres made. Qualified wine came to 255.08 million litres, of which 227.03 million were red, 14.49 million white and 13.56 million rose. The next vintage, 2011, was rated Excelente too.

• Approved 1 April 2011; first Excelente since 2005
• More than four thousand samples; 284.29 million litres made
• Qualified: 255.08 million litres (227.03 red, 14.49 white, 13.56 rose)
• Decanter scored the vintage 4/5 and said it has the potential to stand alongside 2005

All three subzones, Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental, showed notable stability in 2010. Ripening varied with each vineyard's site, orientation and yield within each zone, so selective picking was urged. In Rioja Oriental, Tempranillo and Garnacha reached full ripeness in stages, letting growers pick each plot and exposure at its own moment. By the 20 September check, much of the Tempranillo and Garnacha in the Rioja Baja reference vineyards was ready to harvest or close to it.

• All three subzones: notable stability through the season
• Rioja Oriental: staggered ripening of Tempranillo and Garnacha allowed plot-by-plot picking
• Rioja Baja: much of the Tempranillo and Garnacha reference vineyards ripe by 20 September

The Consejo described the 2010 reds as having marked polyphenolic structure, ripe tannins and intense, lively colour, with ripe red and black fruit (plum, cherry, blackberry) and the floral character of well-ripened Tempranillo, integrated acidity, a broad structure, a long finish and extraordinary ageing potential. It called the whites, made mainly from Viura, aromatic and fresh, suited to drinking in the short and medium term, and the rosados bright in colour with fruity aromas. In Decanter's guide, Marcos Eguren, whose family group owns six wineries in Rioja, says the vintage shows the balance, structure and freshness for long ageing. The same guide points to Palacios Remondo, the Rioja Baja property Alvaro Palacios returned to in 2000 to run, where his interest in single vineyards and in reviving Garnacha's status in Rioja was beginning to show results.

• Reds (Consejo's description): marked polyphenolic structure, ripe tannins, ripe red and black fruit, long finish
• Whites (Consejo's description): mainly Viura, aromatic and fresh, for short to medium-term drinking
• Marcos Eguren in Decanter: balance, structure and freshness for long ageing
• Palacios Remondo (Rioja Baja): singled out by Decanter for single-vineyard and Garnacha work