Winemaker Oscar Alegre is at the forefront of a revolution in Spain. “Traditional Rioja is actually only 150 years old, driven by French influence at the end of the 19th Century – but Alegre Valgañon are among those championing a return to the much deeper roots of the region, making wine as it was before Phylloxera. Oscar and his wife Eva make gorgeous, sculpted Rioja from old plots of vines in the shadow of the Obarenes Mountains which are some of the highest and coolest in the region, yielding wines that are refined and aromatic. Their vineyard plots are managed meticulously and they favour whole bunch fermentation, long macerations and ageing in large, neutral barrels.
In the glass this 2020 Rioja Tinto is silky smooth with a freshness and lightness of touch to it’s crunchy red, mineral tinged fruits. Garnacha adds a little bit of weight but overall the wine is wonderfully silky and elegant with terroir and fruit shining through rather than oak.
