Marqués de Cáceres

Marqués de Cáceres is one of the bodegas that helped write modern Rioja. Enrique Forner founded the winery in 1970 in Cenicero, a small town in the heart of Rioja Alta – and brought in Émile Peynaud, one of the most influential oenologists of the 20th century, as a consultant. Peynaud's signature was clear: less wood, more fruit, more precise fermentation. Instead of the then-common American oak barrels, Forner opted for French barriques, which gave the wines a leaner, more elegant structure.

Since 2007, Cristina Forner has led the bodega as president and consistently continues this line. Around 1,200 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta provide the basis for a range that extends from the accessible Crianza to the aged Gran Reserva. Tempranillo is at the center, complemented by Garnacha and Graciano – depending on the cuvée with different aging periods in the barrel and in the bottle.

What distinguishes the wines of Marqués de Cáceres is their reliability across vintages: ripe red fruit, well-integrated tannins, a finish that makes you want the next sip. Good with leg of lamb, Ibérico cold cuts, or a strong Manchego.