Marques de Caceres Gaudium Rioja DOCa 2020
(Rioja, Spain) - [TA 95] [DM 94] [WS 91]

About the Winery:
Founded by Enrique Forner in 1970, Marques de Caceres introduced ground-breaking winemaking techniques from Bordeaux to Rioja for the first time, elevating the standard of quality in the region and ushering in the Rioja Rennaissance that followed. They work with one single objective: producing the highest quality wines. Today this obsession continues to be the leitmotif of Cristina Forner, the fifth generation of this distinguished wine family. 

About this Wine:
Deep burgundy in color with dark highlights, it exudes concentration and elegance. A complex nose with a beautiful evolution in the glass reveals ripe black fruit, spicy notes, a subtle hint of wild herbs, and exquisite, well-integrated, finely toasted oak.

The mouthfeel is enveloping with sweet, polished tannins that offer both firmness and smoothness. A balanced mid-palate and delicate structure. A long, persistent finish that emanates rich nuances, with hints of spice. A great signature wine with class, harmony and elegance.

Aged for 18 months minimum in new French oak barrels of fine and extra-fine grain, selected from the best forests, finished with a respectful medium toasting.  This is followed by further aging for 2 years in bottle before release.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Tim Atkin MW:
"Production runs to more than 800,000 bottles, so the quality of this cuvée of Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha is especially commendable. Reflecting the quality of the 2021 vintage, it's floral and intense, with aromas of Asian spices, incense, coconut and wild herbs, stylish American oak sweetness and a core of damson and blackberry fruit. Built to last. 2025-38" (Mar 2025)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Sourced from numerous plots at 400m-650m in Rioja Alta and on terraces up to 740m in Rioja Alavesa, with old vines more than 70 years old and some pre-phylloxera more than 100 years old. All Tempranillo, fermentation with indigenous yeast occured in small stainless steel tanks and wooden vats, malolactic in French oak barrels, then a minimum of 18 months' ageing in medium-toast, new barrels of fine-grained French oak. Alluring smokiness on the nose. Intense savoury and spicy lining to the tannins. Plum, prune, pomegranate are sprinkled generously with nutmeg, cardamom and pink pepper. Great assertiveness and drive throughout with freshness at the core. Long, spicy finish with a grippy allure." - Ines Salpico (Mar 2025)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Savory on the nose, with a fragrant mesh of underbrush, leather, bouillon and loamy earth notes that then underscore the palate’s flavors of black plum, mocha, licorice string and toast. The rich profile is layered with creamy-edged tannins that firm the spiced finish. Drink now through 2035. 2,000 cases made, 400 cases imported." – Alison Napjus (Oct 2025)