Florentino Martínez Monje is the force of nature behind Lubberi. The Luberri winery is located in the village of Elciego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa where Florentino farms 35 hectares of old-vine Tempranillo, along with some Viura and Malvasia. Along with his wife María José, they started their family winery in 1991. Florentino has lived and farmed in Rioja all his life, working with his father and brothers in the vineyards, learning every nuance of the terruño. He makes wines that express the truth and gastronomy of his native Basque region; wines that make people happy. He became famous for resurrecting and perfecting the traditional style of semi-carbonic, whole-cluster maceration of Tempranillo that is historic to Rioja Alavesa.

The Rioja Gran Reserva is made of 100% Tempranillo from 80+ year-old vines grown on clay limestone soils at Las Salinas and Rehoyos in Rioja Alavesa. All grapes are destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged for 36 months in new and 1 year-old French oak barrels. Deep ruby color with an intoxicating bouquet of fresh red fruits (strawberries, cherries, red plums), potpourri, high-quality French oak and warming spices. The palate is tightly wound and full of soft, luxurious tannins that frame the lively fruit profile perfectly as the wine flows into a long, dreamy finish. This is a gorgeous Rioja Gran Reserva bursting with fruit and energy that is delicious to drink tonight, though it has the structure to age for another 15 years!