Last week, hot on positive heels from the London Wine Fair, Bancroft headed along to the much coveted 100 point Parker tasting at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair to present our Remirez de Ganuza Gran Reserva 2004.
After a gap of 25 years there was quite a crowd waiting on tenterhooks outside the shop for Robert, internationally renowned wine-critic and owner of the Wine Advocate, all eager to taste the 8 100 point wines on show and to meet the man himself.
Joined by Jose Utrasun and Luis Alberto Martinez from the winery, based in Rioja Alavesa, over 200 happy punters came to taste our wine - and with the tokens stacking up, we proved to be one of the most popular of the evening by far:
Bancroft
Wines is delighted to be UK exclusive agent for Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza, an
estate which embodies the forward thinking attention to detail that says so
much about modern Rioja. The Bodega has received many accolades over the years
for their exceptional wines. Indeed, Robert Parker himself once dubbed it "The
Latour of Rioja".
Founded
in 1989 by Fernando Remírez de Ganuza the Bodega is located in the heart of the
Rioja Alavesa. Fernando, previously the largest vineyard broker in the region,
now owns 68 hectares of prime vineyard spread across some 100 vineyards. A
range of micro climates and an average vine age of 60 years adds concentration
and depth to the wines. Rigorous grape selection and minimal intervention
during the wine making process have always been major priorities.
Innovation and Remírez de Ganuza go hand in hand- they were among the first
Rioja growers to incorporate sorting tables, cold rooms and to utilise the
benefits of new oak maturation. The resultant wines reflected a true expression
of the vintage and the vineyard, offering a true sense of place. Though the
years have passed, the Bodega has continued to progress, incorporating amongst
other notable innovations, inflatable bag presses for the extraction of the
Trasnocho cuvee.
Only 3,100 bottles of the Gran Reserva 2004 were made - there were only a few that remain in the UK prior to this event, imaginably even fewer now. If you want to snap one up yourself - you now know where to go to get it!
And here are a few photos from the evening...
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| Bancroft's Johnny Paterson in situ with the '04 |
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| Precious samples ready for uncorking |
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| Two happy visitors to our table, united by the wine |
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| Quality control - nose perfect |
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| Team Bancroft's Johnny and Sophie with Robert Parker |
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| Luis, Johnny and Jose from Remirez de Ganuza |
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| Crowds gathering in sweet anticipation |
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| Luis explaining the intricacies of making a 100pt wine |
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| 100points approved and signed by Robert Parker |
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| Bancroft's Johnny and Sophie opening the bottles with extreme care |
A happy 100point evening for all involved!
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