The 1945 Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva is from a cuvee designated R.M. (Reserve Medoc) and was made with over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. In appearance it resembles a 15-year-old wine accompanied by a brooding bouquet of balsamic, Asian spices, incense, dried fruits, and subtle terroir notes. On the palate it reveals no age; lively, vibrant, layered, and concentrated, it is quite likely to outlive everyone born in the year 1945. Marques de Riscal is one of Rioja’s legendary estates. Here tradition and quality go hand in hand despite the Bodega’s enormous production and a few minor tweaks to update the style. It was my privilege in May 2010 to participate in a vertical tasting of Marques de Riscal Gran Reservas dating back to 1870 at the Bodega. The corks from the ancient vintages were removed with Port tongs to prevent any contamination of the wine. Shaw-Smith Importers, FL