La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva Spanish Red Wine 750 mL

$27.99

Ratings: James Suckling 93

“Aromas of subtle red fruit with plums, spice and cedar. Some dried flowers and dried spices, such as paprika. It’s medium-bodied with some pretty, ripe fruit in the center palate, fine tannins and a citrus and cedar undertone to the finish. Drink or hold.”

100% Tempranillo from our Mayorita, Rebollar, and Bardal vineyards, as well as selected plots in El Palo, Rodezno and Alto del Rey, and Labastida. These vineyards are located at an altitude of 500-600 metres (1600-2000 ft) above sea level, planted in chalky-clay soils more than 40 years ago. After carefully selecting the grapes to be harvested, we placed the clusters in boxes that we immediately transported to the winery in refrigerated vehicles at a temperature of 14°C (57°F). The Bordeaux model was applied, destemming, crushing and vatting the grapes in tanks, where they underwent alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for two years in American oak barrels manufactured in-house; the first year in new oak and the second in barrels averaging three years in age. The wine was manually racked four times by the light of a candle.

Description

La Rioja Alta, one of the classical wineries in the Barrio de la Estación in Haro, has started converting ten hectares of their vineyard to organic farming, which is a welcomed move. But it’s only a small step that I hope they continue and accelerate, as they own some 420 hectares of vineyards that are the only source for their approximately 1.4 million bottles. The wines are classical Rioja, with plenty of spicy oak, very recognizable. They are currently releasing wines from some very good vintages, like 2010 and 2005.

Pair with roast lamb, red meats, barbeques, large game, spicy fish casseroles and smoked and aged cheeses.

Additional information

Weight 48 oz
Dimensions 5 × 5 × 17 in