MARQUES DE RISCAL 'Tapias de Marques de Riscal' - Rioja DOCa 2022 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Marqués de Riscal Tapias 2022 opens with immediate appeal: black cherry, plum, bramble and wild strawberry, lifted by violet and dried rose, with smoked meat, leather and graphite beneath. Gentle aeration reveals dried herb, cedar and toasted spice from measured oak. Medium-bodied, it offers a smooth, generous start, lively acidity and fine-grained tannins that shape without weight. Pure black-and-red fruit is framed by olive tapenade and a touch of liquorice; the mid-palate delivers baking spice, dark chocolate and a mineral seam that drives a long, saline finish. Texture is silky yet energetic. Drink now with decanting or cellar 5–8 years. Serve 16–18°C with roast pork or grilled lamb, and very approachable already today. Top scores: James Suckling 97; Decanter 94.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Marqués de Riscal Tapias 2022 opens with immediate appeal, a modern Rioja combining ripe fruit generosity with savoury precision and clear varietal character. The bouquet offers black cherry, plum and bramble berry, joined by fresh red cherry and wild strawberry, while violet and dried rose petal lend a lifted floral thread. Underneath, subtle smoked meat, leather and graphite provide savoury depth, and a faint orange peel note adds brightness on the rim of the perfume. With gentle aeration, dried herb, cedar and a toasted spice from careful oak ageing emerge, broadening the aromatic profile without overwhelming the fruit.

On the palate the 2022 is medium bodied, with a smooth, generous entry and lively natural acidity that keeps the wine fresh and focused. Primary fruit is pure and concentrated, black and red berry flavours supported by a savoury thread of olive tapenade and a hint of liquorice. The mid palate develops with layered complexity, showing baking spice, dark chocolate, a touch of cinnamon and a mineral seam that gives drive to the structure. Tannins are fine grained and well judged, providing support and shape rather than heaviness, while oak influence remains measured, contributing vanilla and toasted notes that enhance the fruit core.

Texture is silky yet energetic, the mouthfeel offering both succulence and tensile grip, leading to a long finish that returns to ripe cherry, cedar and a saline mineral echo. There is a pleasing savoury clarity to the finish, where leather and tobacco leaf begin to show alongside preserved plum. Drink now for immediate pleasure, ideally decanted, or cellar for five to eight years to allow tertiary notes of dried herb, forest floor and cured meat to integrate.

Serve at 16 to 18°C with roast pork, grilled lamb, aged Manchego, slow cooked beef or mushroom based dishes to complement its fruit and savoury tones. Marqués de Riscal Tapias 2022 is confident and versatile, offering approachable charm and the structure to reward short term ageing.

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
What a wine for such a hot vintage. It's medium-bodied with firm and polished tannins that are rather endless. Flavorful yet tense and focused. Lovely silky texture. Pure tempranillo from a vineyard planted in 1968. So drinkable now, but will age beautifully. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Ines Salpico (at Rioja, 07 Mar 2025)
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Juicy tannins, vibrant and grippy with crunchy blue and red fruit. This needs time in bottle to open up, integrate the tannins and come in to its own. Lovely nuances of pomegranate, cardamom and French toast are coming into focus.

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ABOUT MARQUES DE RISCAL
Marqués de Riscal is one of the most iconic wineries in Spain, located in the Rioja region, specifically in Elciego, Álava. Founded in 1858 by Frenchman Viscount Willie de Riscal, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest wineries in the area and a pioneer in the production of high-quality Rioja wines.

The estate is renowned for its commitment to blending traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovations. Marqués de Riscal specializes in producing red wines primarily from the Tempranillo grape, alongside Garnacha and Graciano. The winery's flagship wine, the Marqués de Riscal Reserva, is celebrated for its exceptional quality, depth, and aging potential.

The winery is also notable for its stunning contemporary architecture, which includes a spectacular hotel designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, harmoniously blending traditional production with modern aesthetics. This unique structure has made Marqués de Riscal a notable attraction in the region.

Marqués de Riscal is dedicated to sustainability, employing eco-friendly practices in their vineyard management and winemaking processes. The wines are characterized by their elegance, fruit-driven flavor profiles, and well-integrated oak, leading to widespread acclaim from critics and wine enthusiasts alike. With a rich history and a firm commitment to excellence, Marqués de Riscal continues to be a benchmark in the Spanish wine industry, attracting collectors and aficionados seeking authentic expressions of Rioja.