Bodegas Roda I Reserva 2016 750ml
The 2016 Roda I, a red blend of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Graciano, showcases a fresh and elegant character, with a nose of plum, leather, dried flowers, and cedar. This full-bodied wine offers fine tannins and lively acidity, creating a perfect balance between richness and freshness. On the palate, it reveals layers of black fruit, including plums and cherries, complemented by subtle chocolate, earth, and sweet spice notes. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, the wine has a long, satisfying finish with a touch of cocoa and spices. It's approachable now but will continue to develop beautifully in the bottle.
Jamessuckling.com | JS 96
Published: Aug 9, 2021
A perfumed nose of plum, smoke, leather, dried flowers and cedar. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins and lively acidity. So balanced and layered with a rich yet fresh feel. Long, spiced and delicious. Drink or hold.
The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Oct 30, 2020
Drink: 2020-2026
The 2016 Roda I, a red blend of Tempranillo and 4% Graciano, feels like a lighter vintage than the 2015 when tasted side by side. It has a combination of red and black fruit, fine spices and quality wood, quite integrated and without any excess. The wines are nicely crafted and polished and, in this case, given four years of bottle aging before it's sold, so it's even more polished. 129,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018.
Bodegas Roda celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017 with their earliest harvest ever (2013 was the latest). They work 120 hectares of vineyards, own 70 of them and always focus on traditional viticulture: dry farming, head pruning, cover crops, sustainability, indigenous yeast ... and R+D. They produce 300,000 bottles per vintage.
Roda.es
CLIMATIC CYCLE
During the 2016 vegetative cycle, there was a total rainfall of 409 mm, distributed mostly in the months prior to sprouting. At the end of the cycle, already in the month of September, there was a significant increase in the temperatures with a storm that favored the ripening. A year of perfect maturation, with Mediterranean influence and great wines.
TECHNICAL DATA
Production area: D.O.Ca.Rioja
Variety: 96% Tempranillo and 4% Graciano
Vineyards: Bush vines over 30 years old, yields limited to 1,5 kgs per vine.
Harvest: Hand-picked in 16 kg crates and hand sorted at the winery
Fermentation: Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in French oak vats followed by malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels
Aging: In 50% brand new and 50% second use, French oak barrels. 16 months in barrel and 20 months cellaring in bottle
Stabilisation: Natural methods
Clarification: Lyophilized egg white
Alcohol content: 14,5% Vol.
TASTING
Colour: High, intense layer with a red cherry background and red rim.
Nose: As always, the RODA I are discreet when you bring them to the nose and little by little the aromas rise from the bottom, pulling wonderful sensations that fill the glass.
There are many black fruits, but it has red flashes that make it shine, black plums dominate, and cherries appear next to it. Underneath are the earth, chocolate, aromatic plants and sweet spices, cinnamon, cloves… which complete this aromatic landscape.
The oak slightly leaves its mark on the background.
Palate: It's an example of the elegance of RODA I, very fine in the palate, with excellent tannin, silky and lively at the same time. Plums and cherries fill the mouth, slightly liqueur and fresh, it is a perfect and difficult balance. It is very long, with a powerful retronasal route.
The excellent quality of the aged oak appears subtly and the cocoa and sweet spices finish off a sensation of enormous pleasure. It grows in the glass as is normal for RODA I.
A great wine to drink now, which will improve a lot over the years.