La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva DOCa 2018
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 93] [WA 92] [TA 92]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of the most experienced and universally respected wineries in Rioja. Viña Alberdi is La Rioja Alta's juiciest, most approachable Rioja to drink on the younger side. That said, it still is one of the standard bearers of great quality, affordable, traditional Rioja, aged for two full years in barrels produced on site by the company's own coopers.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Intense, medium-high depth, ruby-red; clean and bright. The nose particularly stands for its red fruit (raspberries, wild strawberries and red plums), which give way to notes of vanilla, nutmeg, caramel and cedar from barrel aging. Flavor-packed, balanced and very fresh, with smooth, friendly tannins. Harmonious, well-balanced finish, with a pleasant final freshness that invites you to continue enjoying this new vintage.

Pairing:
Vina Alberdi stands out for its food-pairing versatility. It is the ideal companion to appetizers, snacks and barbecues, perfect with rice, pasta and creams, and great with lightly-grilled meat and fish.

Vineyard, Grapes and Aging:
100% Tempranillo from the Mayorita, Rebollar and Bardal vineyards, as well as selected plots in El Palo, Rodezno and Alto del Rey, Labastida. These vineyards are located at an altitude of 500-600 metres (1,600-2,000 ft) above sea level, planted in chalky-clay soils more than 40 years ago.

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A pretty nose of raspberries, cassis, fresh herbs, vanilla and sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied with round tannins. Creamy and fruity with chocolatey character on the mid-palate. Supple finish with excellent length. Tangy acidity. 100% tempranillo. Drink or hold." (Aug 2021)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Their young and fresh red 2018 Viña Alberdi, already a Reserva (Crianza in Spain), matured in oak barrel for two years—in new barrels for the first year and in used barrels for the second year. During the élevage, they racked the wine manually from barrel to barrel four times. 2018 was a year of lower alcohol and more freshness in the wines, and they thought the wines were not designed for the long haul; so, they didn't produce any other wine, and so the only wine from 2018 IS VIÑA ALBERDI! Which means that all the Tempranillo grapes that were destined for 890, 904 and all the other wines went to this wine. They didn't use the Garnacha (which was sold in bulk). So, this is a super- Viña Alberdi, which shows more Crianza style in this cooler vintage but with very good depth and complexity, perhaps a more modern and fresher style. The wine has a seamless palate and a juicy texture, with more color than other vintages, more intensity, more fruit... It has grapes from very good vineyards and poor soils that were never destined for this wine. Highly recommendable and very versatile. It has potential to age." - Luis Gutierrez (Jul 2022)

92 Points - Tim Atkin, MW:
"La Rioja Alta didn't make any 904 or 890 Gran Reservas in 2018, so this lesser wine benefited from the decision. It's a fresh, modern, perfumed Tempranillo with subtle American oak spices, supporting acidity and layers of sweet red berry fruit. Forward, bright and easy drinking."