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2015 La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Tempranillo

Rioja, SPAIN
$54. 99
Bottle
$659.88 Dozen
Cellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2021-2026)
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Cork

La Rioja Alta is a grand old estate founded (and still owned) by four wine growing families in 1890. The wines are produced from estate-owned, low yielding and old vineyards that are still produced in a very traditional way. The winery's commitment to quality extends to keeping all production of oak in-house, utilising their own cooperage on site.

Vina Alberdi Reserva is produced from 100% Tempranillo, grown in chalky-clay vineyards planted over 40 years ago. The wine is matured in 50% new American oak for 2 years, followed by extended aging in bottle prior to release.

Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Heady aromas of ripe black raspberry, liquorice and dark chocolate evolve from the glass mixing with vanillin oak, earth and spice along the way. Rich and plush the full bodied palate is awash with opulent black raspberry, liquorice and dark chocolate flavours that have a luxurious feel. Vanillin oak, earth and spice elements lie underneath. Possessing velvety tannins it finishes long, soft and fleshy.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Glistening ruby-red. Lively, smoke- and spice-accented cherry and red berry aromas are complemented by floral and tobacco flourishes. Seamless and focused on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Shows very good energy and repeating floral character on a long, focused finish framed by well-integrated tannins. Drink 2022-2030.
92 points
Josh Raynolds – Vinous

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.
93 points
JamesSuckling.com (November 2020)

The classic Haro-styled red 2015 Viña Alberdi, sold abroad with the mention of Reserva and in Spain as Crianza, is a good introduction to the house style: balsamic reds with abundant notes of sweet spices and cigar ash, developed aromas of forest floor and a creamy twist making small concessions for a fresher and cleaner profile in the last few years but keeping the classic style. There are notes of ground tobacco and earth, and the palate is seamless and sleek, with polished tannins and a soft mouthfeel. There are 550,000 bottles of this wine, all produced from a single master blend. It was bottled in September 2018 after two years in American oak barrels. Drink 2020 - 2027. 
91 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (October 2020)