This perfectly aged Spanish red, the 2019 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi, is a ready-to-drink, value wine from a legendary producer – the hallmark of great Rioja. It’s also the only Spanish wine on Wine Spectator’s recently released Top 10 Value Wines of 2024!
2019 is poised to be a leading vintage for many estates in Rioja, offering wines with depth, power, focus and long ageing potential. It was a year with almost no disease pressure and slightly lower yields. This 100% Tempranillo is earthy, inky and reminiscent of smoked paprika and dried sea shells, with a lemony acidity and ultra-fine tannins. There’s so much sophistication here for only R415.
Aged Rioja ‘is a category that gives wine lovers the opportunity to drink mature wines immediately, often at very fair prices. I can’t think of another region where this is so often possible,’ writes Josh Raynolds of Vinous about Rioja’s reds.
Since 1890, La Rioja Alta has been known for producing ‘some of the finest Riojas that can grace your cellar’, says Neal Martin. As with all their wines, ‘Solid value is the rule here, from top to bottom.’ – Vinous
Tasting Notes:
La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2019
‘Julio Sáenz uses grapes from Haro, Labastida and Rodezno to produce this well-priced Tempranillo. Couched in the bodega’s well-established traditional style, with ageing in new and then four-year-old American oak, this has some subtle reduction, sweet patisserie spices of vanilla and coconut, racy acidity, succulent summer berry fruit and the faintest of balsamic twists.’ – Tim Atkin MW, Rioja Special Report 2024, 92/100
‘Attractive aromas of sweet spices, smoke and seaweed. Some roasted nuts. Hints of Iberico ham. Medium-bodied with a nice rounded character to the tannins and juicy fruit. Pure tempranillo.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 92/100
‘The 2019 Reserva Viña Alberdi is 100% Tempranillo, sourced from Labastida, Rioja Alavesa and aged for two years in American oak barrels. Garnet in color, the bouquet features vanilla and ripe plum notes along with hints of balsamic and caramel. Dry and juicy on the palate, the polished tannins and silky flow lead to a fairly nimble finish – a delicate Rioja red.’ – Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, 91/100
