DE ALTO AMO RIOJA CRIANZA
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Like its younger sibling, this lovely Rioja punches well above its price bracket.
Rioja, DOCa
2017
13.5% ABV.
90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo
75cl
£15.50
Price includes VAT
Tasting note:
Aromatic and intense, lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Fresh, fruity and well balanced with sensations of raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon. A wine with great purity and depth of fruit, gently caressed by oak but never smothered. Textural, well balanced and a great expression of Rioja.
About the wine:
The company's philosophy is that "good wine is made in the vineyard." With over 250 hectares of prime Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano Rioja vineyards that are at their disposal which are planted on clay-limestone soil at an average height of 400m above sea level.
Meticulous attention to detail is paid in the vineyards, coupled with the extreme climate, which offers the perfect conditions for the production of great wines.
Grapes are all hand-picked in early October. The grapes are transported to the winery and gently de-stemmed with the rollers on the crusher adjusted to give more extraction of the grape skins and seeds without over extraction. Each lot is assessed on its berry sizes and the machinery adjusted to suit. The grapes are then sent to 25 tonne temperature controlled fermentation tanks and the grapes are given a 5 day cold soak which aids colour and fruit extraction prior to alcoholic fermentation.
Once fermenting, the wine is pumped over its skins, with each of the fermentations carefully controlled to maximise the extraction of soft tannins as well as enhance the fruit characters of each vineyard. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wines are left to macerate on the skins for up to 5 days to help soften tannins and integrate flavours. The wines are then gently drained and pressed with the press components kept separate by taste, to be blended back later on if desired.
The wine is then left to age in French and American oak barrels (15% of which are new oak) for 12 months, then a further period ageing in the bottle before release.
Food match:
Perfect accompaniment to chargrilled meat, cured ham and tapas.
This is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
