La Rioja Alta
Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo
La Rioja, Spain
100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term!
100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term!
Feb 22nd, 2024
My first time trying this entry-level Reserva from one of my favourite producers in Rioja, La Rioja Alta. This is really impressive on all fronts, a solid, generous Rioja albeit in a modern style and something of a departure from the bodega’s better, more traditional wines. Comparable to Muga’s Reserva in quality and price - I’d happily drink more of this.
My first time trying this entry-level Reserva from one of my favourite producers in Rioja, La Rioja Alta. This is really impressive on all fronts, a solid, generous Rioja albeit in a modern style and something of a departure from the bodega’s better, more traditional wines. Comparable to Muga’s Reserva in quality and price - I’d happily drink more of this.
Oct 23rd, 2023
This takes me back. Very old school. Like 70s and early 80s old school. Nose comes screaming out of the glass with loads of coconutty American oak, plummy fruit, and gravel. Intense and clingy in the mouth. Tannins are youthful but soft and well managed. The only thing that distinguishes this from a 70s or 80s rendition is the peppery alcohol (14.5%) that is fairly prominent. A noticeable bitter note lingers on the finish. Still and all, a pleasurable and nostalgic wine. Could easily use another 5 years.
UPDATE: Night 2, the depth of fruit is more prominent and is silencing the peppery alcohol a bit. Upping score from 8.9 to 9.0.
This takes me back. Very old school. Like 70s and early 80s old school. Nose comes screaming out of the glass with loads of coconutty American oak, plummy fruit, and gravel. Intense and clingy in the mouth. Tannins are youthful but soft and well managed. The only thing that distinguishes this from a 70s or 80s rendition is the peppery alcohol (14.5%) that is fairly prominent. A noticeable bitter note lingers on the finish. Still and all, a pleasurable and nostalgic wine. Could easily use another 5 years.
UPDATE: Night 2, the depth of fruit is more prominent and is silencing the peppery alcohol a bit. Upping score from 8.9 to 9.0.
100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years, note; all the Tempranillo grapes that were destined for 890, 904 and all the other wines went to this wine, Wow! Deep Ruby I with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term!
100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years, note; all the Tempranillo grapes that were destined for 890, 904 and all the other wines went to this wine, Wow! Deep Ruby I with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term!
Oct 19th, 2022
2016 vintage. Textbook example. Sour cherries, dried raspberries, red currant, bitter orange, dill, coconut, cedar, dried sage, brick dust, a little yogurt-y sourness. Classic example.
2016 vintage. Textbook example. Sour cherries, dried raspberries, red currant, bitter orange, dill, coconut, cedar, dried sage, brick dust, a little yogurt-y sourness. Classic example.
Feb 11th, 2022
A delicious Rioja crianza (reserva for us so we pay more?). Pop and pour Tempranillo goodness with a Rhone lavender silky finish as a bonus. Amazing value. Bought another immediately.
A delicious Rioja crianza (reserva for us so we pay more?). Pop and pour Tempranillo goodness with a Rhone lavender silky finish as a bonus. Amazing value. Bought another immediately.
Jan 14th, 2022
Always love La Rioja Alta wines! So classic and beautiful.
Always love La Rioja Alta wines! So classic and beautiful.
Jan 7th, 2022
Gorgeous wine on the pretty end of the classic Rioja spectrum. Pure red fruit with some floral character and just the right amount of oak influence, hinting at cedar and spice.
Gorgeous wine on the pretty end of the classic Rioja spectrum. Pure red fruit with some floral character and just the right amount of oak influence, hinting at cedar and spice.
Feb 1st, 2021
Drank 1/16/21.
The second half of a coravin'd bottle.
Excellent. See my earlier review. 91 pts
Drank 1/16/21.
The second half of a coravin'd bottle.
Excellent. See my earlier review. 91 pts