The Global Masters Wine of the Week: Gran Faustino 1955

Every week, we select a wine that picked up either a Gold or Master from our competition series, and tell you why the judges loved it. Enter the Global Masters, and this could be your wine.

In their focus on the great age-worthy reds from Bordeaux and Burgundy, wine professionals sometimes forget that Rioja can yield remarkably long-lived wine. Key to the ability for such drops to slowly mature into a delicious result is the combination of Spain’s well-adapted native grapes, primarily Tempranillo, the cool nighttime conditions of the high barren plateau of Rioja, and the region’s tradition of allowing the wine to rest for long periods in barriques before bottling.

One producer renowned for mastering this set of criteria to craft something wonderful and lasting is Bodegas Faustino, and we were amazed to discover in last year’s Rioja Masters that this incredible Gran Reserva Rioja was in fact more than 60 years old.

Consumers of such a historic wine can expect an aromatic combination of dried grass, earth, almonds and leather, along with a hint of stewed red fruit in the mouth, and an uplifting orange zest kick on the finish.

Aside from the combination of flavours, the pleasure of this wine hails from its lively, refreshing character, making it such a delight to drink, and in contrast to the concentrated reds made in many Spanish regions today.

So, if you are looking for great, very old red wine, consider Rioja.

The wine: Bodegas Faustino, Gran Faustino Reserva 1955

The source: Rioja, Spain

The grape(s): Tempranillo

The style: Barrel-aged still red wine made from Tempranillo

The price: £50+

The medal: Master – The Global Rioja Masters, 2018

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, the Global Wine Masters provides a chance for your wines to star, whether they hail from the great vineyards of Europe or lesser-known corners of the New World.

It’s a competition dedicated to making winners out of winemakers.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or please call +44 (0)20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com