Sale
92 points Vinous
Vina Alberdi is a 100% Tempranillo that was hand-harvested, destemmed, and vinified in tank. The wine was then 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 then manually racked four times by the light of a candle; it doesn’t get more old school than that!
La Rioja Alta was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made Rioja. At this time, French vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera, and connoisseurs were having to look elsewhere for supplies of fine wine. Rioja, with its excellent climate and soils, had already attracted attention, and experiments with Bordeaux-style vinification and barrique-aging were proving very successful.
La Rioja Alta’s wines are still crafted in the traditional Rioja manner. The bodega is adamant about not using French oak, keeping the unique Rioja style which has been developed since the end of the 19th century. In spite of the varying amount of time in cask and bottle, the wines all display a wonderful rich ruby color, gorgeous aromas of oak, spices, and fruit followed by a sensational feel on the palate, with a wonderfully smooth texture, clean rich oaky/fruity flavors, and a long lingering finish.
Vina Alberdi is a 100% Tempranillo that was hand-harvested, destemmed, and vinified in tank. The wine was then 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 then manually racked four times by the light of a candle; it doesn’t get more old school than that!
La Rioja Alta was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made Rioja. At this time, French vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera, and connoisseurs were having to look elsewhere for supplies of fine wine. Rioja, with its excellent climate and soils, had already attracted attention, and experiments with Bordeaux-style vinification and barrique-aging were proving very successful.
La Rioja Alta’s wines are still crafted in the traditional Rioja manner. The bodega is adamant about not using French oak, keeping the unique Rioja style which has been developed since the end of the 19th century. In spite of the varying amount of time in cask and bottle, the wines all display a wonderful rich ruby color, gorgeous aromas of oak, spices, and fruit followed by a sensational feel on the palate, with a wonderfully smooth texture, clean rich oaky/fruity flavors, and a long lingering finish.
SKU
W21777
COUNTRY
Spain
REGION
Rioja
TYPE
Red
VINTAGE
2016
VOLUME
1.5L