La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

9.11962 ratings
9.0167 pro ratings
La Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo
Lamb, Tomato-Based, Polenta, Hard Cheese, Pork, Beef, Pasta, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Venison, Exotic Spices, Potato, Turkey, Beans & Peas, Herbs, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Duck, Salami & Prosciutto, White Rice, Chili & Hot Spicy, Lasagna, Pizza, Barbecue, Mexican Cuisine, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Joe Pea

This the third time I've had this in the last year and it shows beautifully right out of the gate. The wood and fruit are so interestingly and well melded at this point. Oak moves to cedar on the palate. Definite alcohol lift in the nose still and you can feel it the nostrils but not obtrusive...indeed it's actually a promising hint of what's to come on the palate. Dried cherry and stone fruit tastes on right away. Slightly mentholated. Definitely picking up distinct vanilla undertones on the nose and palate but not over the top. Satisfying medium tannins. Soft mouth feel but with really good/balanced structure. Perfect finish in line with what preceded it. Just a great fucking wine. And for the price? Getcha some! Can't believe this is still just around and available (not telling where!). Not for those who don't want wood in their wine but even here what you think will finish moderately chalky moves to soft-ish tannins at the perfect time. So many riojas are over top in the wood category or just so out of balance one way or the other. Everyone has heard of Rioja but have you really had a good one? Here's your chance without breaking the bank. I'd put this one up against the best or at least those considered the best. Maybe lacking a LITTLE finesse to be world class but damn close (can you use the word finesse with Rioja??). Drank in gulps with parmesan dusted NY style mushroom meatball mozzarella pizza from Peppino's in Athens, GA while watching Parenthood with my 17 YO daughter (who also pronounced the wine delicious). What a Tuesday night...thank you sir may I have another. Anyone really disappointed with this wine has WAY more money than me and is a spoiled brat. Geek out.

This the third time I've had this in the last year and it shows beautifully right out of the gate. The wood and fruit are so interestingly and well melded at this point. Oak moves to cedar on the palate. Definite alcohol lift in the nose still and you can feel it the nostrils but not obtrusive...indeed it's actually a promising hint of what's to come on the palate. Dried cherry and stone fruit tastes on right away. Slightly mentholated. Definitely picking up distinct vanilla undertones on the nose and palate but not over the top. Satisfying medium tannins. Soft mouth feel but with really good/balanced structure. Perfect finish in line with what preceded it. Just a great fucking wine. And for the price? Getcha some! Can't believe this is still just around and available (not telling where!). Not for those who don't want wood in their wine but even here what you think will finish moderately chalky moves to soft-ish tannins at the perfect time. So many riojas are over top in the wood category or just so out of balance one way or the other. Everyone has heard of Rioja but have you really had a good one? Here's your chance without breaking the bank. I'd put this one up against the best or at least those considered the best. Maybe lacking a LITTLE finesse to be world class but damn close (can you use the word finesse with Rioja??). Drank in gulps with parmesan dusted NY style mushroom meatball mozzarella pizza from Peppino's in Athens, GA while watching Parenthood with my 17 YO daughter (who also pronounced the wine delicious). What a Tuesday night...thank you sir may I have another. Anyone really disappointed with this wine has WAY more money than me and is a spoiled brat. Geek out.

5 people found it helpfulFeb 3rd, 2016
Keith Brown

Yummy, chewy, earthy-funky, currants and prunes. Old-school Tempranillo, I'm told. Whatever it is, I dig it!

Yummy, chewy, earthy-funky, currants and prunes. Old-school Tempranillo, I'm told. Whatever it is, I dig it!

2 people found it helpfulJan 17th, 2016
Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.1

Sold as a Crianza but actually a reserva due to the fact that people tend to think this would be more expensive & thus harder to sell.
Light red fruits on the nose, quite developed, strawberry, soy and rose petal. In the mouth the acidity dominates pushing through refreshing red currant, raspberry & strawberry, amazing value.

Sold as a Crianza but actually a reserva due to the fact that people tend to think this would be more expensive & thus harder to sell.
Light red fruits on the nose, quite developed, strawberry, soy and rose petal. In the mouth the acidity dominates pushing through refreshing red currant, raspberry & strawberry, amazing value.

2 people found it helpfulSep 5th, 2015
Matt

This is crushing it right now, perfect time to open. Harmonious, balanced, beautifully expressive and classic. A great example of how a humble wine from a great producer can shine in the right setting. Further confirmation that 10-15 year age mark is a sweet spot for my palate. Ripe morello cherry, cooked red plum, strawberry confit, leather, hung meat, tobacco leaf, fresh cigar, ash, vanilla, sweet brown spices, Ceylon, licorice root, damp earth, dust, dill weed. The nose just keeps going. Juicy, alive, upfront on the palate, the acid is there to counterpoint the dusty tannin, the wine is lifted and well postured start to finish. Great length too.

This is crushing it right now, perfect time to open. Harmonious, balanced, beautifully expressive and classic. A great example of how a humble wine from a great producer can shine in the right setting. Further confirmation that 10-15 year age mark is a sweet spot for my palate. Ripe morello cherry, cooked red plum, strawberry confit, leather, hung meat, tobacco leaf, fresh cigar, ash, vanilla, sweet brown spices, Ceylon, licorice root, damp earth, dust, dill weed. The nose just keeps going. Juicy, alive, upfront on the palate, the acid is there to counterpoint the dusty tannin, the wine is lifted and well postured start to finish. Great length too.

1 person found it helpfulMay 17th, 2018
Christopher Marshall

This wine is simply dialed in. Luscious mouth feel, tempered yet present spice, and that perfectly even Rioja oak. Beautiful, and a steal at the price point.

This wine is simply dialed in. Luscious mouth feel, tempered yet present spice, and that perfectly even Rioja oak. Beautiful, and a steal at the price point.

1 person found it helpfulJan 30th, 2016
Michael Kvasnicka

Reserva. Much more traditional. Excellent.

Reserva. Much more traditional. Excellent.

1 person found it helpfulNov 25th, 2015
Amanda Burrill

Dark Ruby. Medium but full nose of ripe berry and hints of pepper. Acid and alcohol in balance, nice tannin, slight tobacco but a glorious ripe red berry. Pleasant finish. This wine and I will be married.

Dark Ruby. Medium but full nose of ripe berry and hints of pepper. Acid and alcohol in balance, nice tannin, slight tobacco but a glorious ripe red berry. Pleasant finish. This wine and I will be married.

1 person found it helpfulSep 22nd, 2015
Jeff Burrows

My idea of a verynice Rioja. Not super extracted, good fruit & oak. Great w bbq ribs

My idea of a verynice Rioja. Not super extracted, good fruit & oak. Great w bbq ribs

Sep 22nd, 2016
Kelly Hulme

Wow, this is one of the best wines I've had in quite a while - old school yet eminently approachable, delicious on its own and friendly with food, bonkers QPR. Spice, plums restrained vanilla, garrigue. Yum - nice reawakening from an old favorite.

Wow, this is one of the best wines I've had in quite a while - old school yet eminently approachable, delicious on its own and friendly with food, bonkers QPR. Spice, plums restrained vanilla, garrigue. Yum - nice reawakening from an old favorite.

Feb 6th, 2016
Craig Brown

100% Tempranillo. Tobacco leaf and dark fruit aromas. Smooth on the palate with a long finish.

100% Tempranillo. Tobacco leaf and dark fruit aromas. Smooth on the palate with a long finish.

Jan 11th, 2016