Gomez Cruzado Honorable 2016

Gomez Cruzado Honorable 2016

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Gomez Cruzado
Honorable 2016
  • Vintage : 2016
  • Country : Spain
  • Region : Rioja
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 90% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 4% Grenache

Gómez Cruzado Honorable is a stunning Rioja blend, crafted from some of the oldest vines in the region, delivering richness, structure, and elegance that embody the essence of classic Rioja.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 93 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Honorable originates from La Rioja Alta, specifically from Gómez Cruzado’s oldest vineyards located in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria. These vineyards, with vines over 50 years old, are planted on south-east facing slopes, benefiting from excellent sun exposure that ensures optimal ripening.

The soils here are poor and chalky clay, with a striking white color and calcareous rock slabs beneath, contributing to the wine’s minerality and structure. The vineyards feature a field blend of Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (4%), and Garnacha (4%), grown alongside Mazuela and Viura, which are included in small quantities. This biodiversity adds depth and complexity to the final wine.

Winemaking

Honorable was meticulously crafted using grapes harvested by hand into 15 kg crates, ensuring pristine quality. After a 4-day pre-fermentative maceration at low temperatures, fermentation occurred in temperature-controlled tanks with daily remontage and délestage, techniques designed to optimize extraction of color, flavor, and tannins.

Malolactic fermentation took place in new French oak barriques with weekly bâtonnage, adding texture and complexity. The wine was aged for 18 months in thin-grained new French oak barriques, allowing the flavors to integrate harmoniously while retaining freshness and elegance.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby red with garnet hues.
  • Aroma: Intense aromas of dark plums, black cherries, and figs, complemented by creamy oak, Christmas spices, and hints of tobacco.
  • Palate: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe black fruit, balanced by bright acidity and smooth tannins. The creamy mouthfeel is punctuated by notes of vanilla and clove, leading to a long, elegant finish.

Did you know?

Honorable represents a contemporary reinterpretation of Rioja's Gran Reserva category, showcasing Gómez Cruzado’s commitment to blending heritage with modern winemaking techniques. The wine is intentionally labeled without an age statement, reflecting its unique style and vision.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Pan-fried venison with redcurrant sauce: The wine’s tannic structure and fruit-forward profile pair beautifully with the gamey richness of venison and the tart sweetness of redcurrants.
  • Braised lamb shanks: The wine’s depth and spice complement the savory, slow-cooked flavors of lamb.
  • Roasted wild mushrooms: The earthy tones of mushrooms enhance the wine’s mineral and spice elements.
  • Manchego cheese: Aged Manchego’s nutty, tangy notes harmonize with the creamy oak and ripe fruit of the wine.

Robert Parker (RP) : 93 Points (2016)
Honorable has always been the most traditional of their bottlings, but the 2016 Honorable shows a lot less oaky than in past vintages. The wine is fresh and balanced, keeping its balsamic side but giving more room to fruit and chalkiness, coming through as cleaner and more focused. I'm sure the freshness of 2016 has helped, but there is a clear line of progression in all the wines, and Honorable is not an exception. This should develop magnificently in bottle. It's mostly Tempranillo with some 10% made up of other red and white varieties—Viura, Malvasía, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano—with good ripeness and freshness. It matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. 18,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2019.

Gomez Cruzado Pancrudo 2020
Gomez Cruzado Pancrudo 2020
Gomez Cruzado
Pancrudo 2020
RP
95
This modern and elegant Garnacha highlights the potential of high-altitude vineyards in Rioja, delivering a wine of precision, depth, and silky texture.
51,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
35,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Spain
95 Robert Parker
Gomez Cruzado Pancrudo 2020
Gomez Cruzado Pancrudo 2020
This modern and elegant Garnacha highlights the potential of high-altitude vineyards in Rioja, delivering a wine of precision, depth, and silky texture.
Pancrudo 2020
51,50 €
Spain
93 James Suckling
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2021
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2021
In Les Terrasses the produce of hundreds of small vineyards in six different municipalities is brought together: small estates committed to presenting a faithful reflection of the historic Priorat.
Les Terrasses 2021
45,90 €
Spain
93 Wine Enthusiast
Torres Celeste Reserva 2018
Torres Celeste Reserva 2018
Torres Celeste Reserva is an exceptional expression of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) from the DO Ribera del Duero, capturing the elegance and intensity of the region’s high-altitude vineyards.
Celeste Reserva 2018
36,90 €
Australia
94 Robert Parker
Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
The Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon is a distinguished wine from the renowned Margaret River region in Western Australia. This vintage exemplifies the elegance and complexity that the region's wines are celebrated for, showcasing the unique characteristics of the Houghton clone in Wilyabrup.
Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
37,90 €
Australia
97 Robert Parker
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
A benchmark Australian Chardonnay, the Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022 showcases the precision and power of Margaret River’s terroir. The wine delivers an expressive interplay of minerality, depth, and elegance, offering a refined and structured experience.
Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
77,90 €
USA
96 Decanter
Opus One Opus One 2017
Opus One Opus One 2017
Opus One 2017
510,00 €