Spanish Wines – Barón de Ley
Spanish wines are favorites for many, and Rioja undoubtedly stands out as the most significant wine region in Spain. There are many reasons for its popularity: Rioja has a long history of winemaking and enjoys the highest quality classification among Spanish wines.
A fine example of the best that the Rioja region has to offer is the esteemed Barón de Ley, which is still quite young among Rioja producers: the winery was founded in 1985. Barón de Ley is characterized above all by innovation, regional loyalty, and unwavering respect for tradition. These are particularly evident in the barrel aging of red wines, which takes place in French and American oak barrels.
The microclimates and soils of the regions are also carefully studied from the perspective of grape varieties and growing conditions. Barón de Ley has 600 hectares of vineyards at its disposal, spread across the entire Rioja region.
Baron de Ley’s production is known for its high quality and excellent drinkability. One thing is certain: this producer’s wines offer more than they take at the moment of purchase. Welcome on a flavor journey! Sommelier Jan-Martin Rossi will be your guide to the finest Spanish wines.
You can also read more about Baron de Ley’s wines and winery in this article. You can access Baron de Ley’s producer page here.
Romantic and Fresh
Baron de Ley Semi Dulce
An excellent example of Baron de Ley’s versatility and ability to produce different wines is Barón de Ley Semi Dulce. The grape variety is Sauvignon Blanc, and they come from the Finca Carbonera vineyards at Rioja’s highest growing site, approximately 800 meters above sea level.
The high growing site and continental climate mean significant temperature variation. Thanks to this, the grapes have both abundant sugar and healthy acidity at harvest time. The wine has a fine balance.
Barón de Ley Semi Dulce is excellent for socializing, as an aperitif, with duck liver, blue cheese, and when moving to dessert, especially paired with fruit-based desserts. Chill to refrigerator temperature.
The wine is semi-sweet in taste, refreshingly acidic, fruity, pear-like, and gently herbal. Good acidity lightens its sweetness and makes the wine beautifully balanced.
Learn more about Barón de Ley Semi Dulce here.
Delightfully Multi-Dimensional Reserva
Baron de Ley Reserva
Baron de Ley Reserva (2017) is a flavorful blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Maturana. 20 months of aging in barrels made from both American and French oak and two years of further aging in the bottle make the wine delightfully multi-dimensional. The wine is suitable for vegans.
Baron de Ley Reserva is a real bullseye especially with braised stews, and the company of fatty sausage doesn’t hurt either. By all means, also serve alongside tapas and cheeses.
The year 2017 was quite challenging for wine harvests due to frosts across almost all of Europe. The 2017 vintage is also the first produced by winemaker Pablo Tascón, making it an excellent, almost classic wine. A brilliant choice.
The taste is full-bodied, sour cherry-like, sweetly spicy, silky tannic, complex, and balanced. In the lingering finish, red berries and wild herbs alternate.
Learn more about Baron de Ley Reserva here.
The Great Classic of the Best Vintages
Baron de Ley Gran Reserva
Undoubtedly among Baron de Ley’s most important wines is Gran Reserva. It is made only in the best vintage years, and only grapes of the highest quality classification are used.
The Tempranillo grapes for Gran Reserva are picked mainly from the Cenicero vineyards. The vines, with an average age of nearly a hundred years—significantly old—the Atlantic climate, and the orientation of the slopes are perfectly suited to this style. High-quality and robust wines are to be expected, particularly well suited to accompany lamb chops or cheeses, and when autumn and winter arrive, also by the fireplace.
Gran Reserva ages for two years in barrels, half of which are French oak and half American oak. Further aging in the bottle lasts three years.
The harmonious and refined wine is full-bodied in taste, silky tannic, elegantly acidic, dark berry-like, date-like, chocolatey, and lightly spicy.
Learn more about Baron de Ley Gran Reserva here.
