Hermanos Hernáiz came top in this tasting of over 250 wines, organised by Vinum, Europe’s leading specialist wine magazine.
Our Finca La Emperatriz Tinto 2019 has been recognized as the Best Wine at the Best of Rioja 2025 competition, organized by the prestigious Vinum magazine.
Among more than 250 wines, our Viñedo Singular won over the jury, who described it as “a classic with a renewed look,” awarding it 96 points and the title of “Best of Show.”
Vinum magazine also highlighted how the Viñedos Singulares have set trends and praised the way the Hernáiz Brothers have successfully combined tradition and innovation at Finca La Emperatriz:
“Then there are the single vineyards, the Viñedos Singulares. This category was only introduced in 2017, with the first wines coming onto the market in 2019. In recent years, many winemakers from the sub-regions of Rioja Alta, Alavesa and Oriental have bottled exciting single vineyard wines here. It is not surprising that the best red wine in this competition comes from this new classification. With their Finca Emperatriz, Hermanos Hernaiz have combined tradition and progress in a way that could not have been better achieved. Olé!”.
Vinum magazine, one of the most influential wine publications in Europe, has turned Best of Rioja into an international benchmark thanks to its rigorous selection process and the independence of its jury. This award represents a valuable recognition of the quality, authenticity, and uniqueness of the wines honored.
Finca La Emperatriz Tinto 2019
Finca La Emperatriz Tinto is a blend of 71% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, and a small amount of Viura. These three varieties ferment and macerate together in concrete tanks with indigenous yeast from the vineyard itself. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and ageing in barrels for 18 months, with 60% in new French oak barrels and 40% in American barrels that have been used before. Once the ageing process is complete, the wine is blended in tanks for a few months before being left to rest in the bottle for its final refinement.
The result is a deep, complex and well-structured wine with polished tannins that is ready to drink, but has plenty of ageing potential. It is a classic, elegant Rioja, described by Vinum magazine as follows:
“Deep ruby red. Fragrant. Cassis and plum. Rosemary sautéed in butter, dark chocolate, fresh oregano, juniper and fennel seeds. With air, red currants and orange blossom. Maduro tobacco leaf. Calm, almost sublime. Rather cool. A walk in the woods after a summer rain. On the palate, noble, very fine-grained, juicy tannins. The acidity is lively, showing plenty of juice. Elegantly lingering with a fruity-floral finish.”
