It has been little over two years now since Las Cenizas, a wine made by Hermanos Hernáiz, was released with its 2015 vintage. After years of studying the plots owned by the Hernáiz family in Cenicero -the hometown of Eduardo and Víctor-, this wine, with which the brothers recovered the original character of the traditional wines of this town in Rioja Alta, was presented. Cenicero has always been an iconic town for its vineyards; in old mercantile documents its wines always appeared as the most expensive along with other towns, such as San Vicente, Villalba or El Ciego. However, in the 70s the arrival of the cooperative and large wineries led most of the growers to close their “caves”, and the quality of the wine was diluted in mixed wines.
The 2015 vintage was a first edition of just over 6,600 bottles that were sold out in just 9 months and which left a very high mark -in terms of criticism and acceptance– for the coming vintages which, however, have been revalidating the goal achieved without problem.
Las Cenizas is made with Tempranillo from three plots -Puentarrón, Los Hundidos and Sanchisnal- located in Cenicero. A total of 8.95 Ha with bush vines planted in the 80s, among which you can also find some Viura and Mazuelo. The soil of these vineyards, mainly clayey-calcareous- with gravels in Puentarrón and Los Hundidos – results in a more pompous wine, with a much more polished and fruity tannin.
Las Cenizas 2017, like its predecessors, follows the trail garnering excellent reviews from wine critics. The new vintage arrives on the market with 95 points from Andrés Proensa, 93 from James Suckling, 92 from José Peñín and 93 from Tim Atkin. All of them improving the score obtained by the 2016 vintage. With this excellent background, loved by critics and public alike, Las Cenizas 2017 reaches the market. A total of 14,140 bottles and 260 Magnum -the first vintage in which this wine is available in this format-, ready to seduce with its “succulent and juicy style, a wealth of smooth tannins and a supple run to the vibrant finish” – James Suckling.