1976 Vina Real Gran Reserva

If the 1978 was drying out, the 1976 Viña Real Gran Reserva was completely ruined by TCA. It was a real shame, as previous bottles have been extremely floral and expressive, a little Châteauneuf-like, following in the steps of the 1981, clearly Garnacha-driven, subtle and elegant, perhaps not as powerful as 1981, but terribly complex. The wine, like all vintages from 1944 until 1995 was fermented in cement vats in the winery at Elciego, and it was the result of a fairly short cycle of 180 days (versus the average 200 days). Anyway, not this time! However, that year Concord made its first commercial flight and two guys in a garage created Apple Computers. Meanwhile, in Argentina a coup d'état ended the mandate of the wife of the late General Perón, in Spain Adolfo Suárez became President, Jimmy Carter won the election in the United States and Fidel Castro gained control as President of Cuba after having served as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976. Bands including The Clash, Saxon or U2 were formed that year, and Deep Purple's guitarist Tommy Bolin died. The Olympics were held in Montreal and the UK experienced its worse known drought. The wine was bottled in March 1982.