Barón de Chirel 2021 40th Anniversary Special Edition. 40 years of the wine that changed Rioja

To mark the 40th anniversary of the first vintage of Barón de Chirel, created in 1986, and following the launch of Barón de Chirel Rioja Viñas Centenarias 2024 last April, Marqués de Riscal presents Barón de Chirel 2021 40th Anniversary Special Edition.

With this special edition, Marqués de Riscal celebrates four decades of the visionary spirit that inspired the creation of Barón de Chirel, highlighting its historical and symbolic significance while reinforcing its status as an icon within the winery’s portfolio and among the great wines of Rioja.

Barón de Chirel 2021 40th Anniversary Special Edition is a commemorative release that brings together history, prestige and exclusivity, offering a particularly compelling expression of the personality of a wine that has remained as relevant as ever over time.

Made from grapes sourced from the areas of Elciego and Laguardia, hand-harvested and aged in French oak barrels, it keeps alive the dialogue between Rioja and Bordeaux that has always defined Barón de Chirel. The bottle features an exclusive label, crafted from carefully selected materials, on which the Barón de Chirel coat of arms takes centre stage. This visual element not only reinforces the distinctive nature of the 2021 vintage, but also provides a tangible expression of the wine’s heritage, identity and historic character, giving it an even more distinctive and memorable appearance.

Barón de Chirel: the making of an icon

Since its beginnings in 1858, Marqués de Riscal has maintained a close connection with Bordeaux winemaking methods. It was from this relationship that, in 1986, the idea emerged to create an experimental wine that would revive the greatness of the historic Reserva Médoc wines, reinterpreted using the expertise, knowledge and technology available in the 20th century.

The concept drew on a very specific historical precedent: the special blends produced by Marqués de Riscal’s winemakers until the 1950s, using the finest Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and only in the very best vintages. Vines between 80 and 110 years old were selected for their extremely low yields and outstanding fruit quality, with the grapes harvested by hand. Thus, the first vintage of Barón de Chirel, 1986, was born, ushering in a new era for the great wines of Rioja.