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.
93 Pts Wine Advocate “The house red 2020 Tinto showed superbly. It’s a blend of Tempranillo from the Obarenes Mountains (Sajazarra and Fonzaleche) with 20% Garnacha from Cárdenas on clay and some 5% white that has 14.2% alcohol but feels perfectly balanced and integrated. It has a serious, harmonious nose with complexity and depth but also youth. It has a soft and juicy texture with focused and clean flavors, finishing with an almost salty twist. Super tasty and easy to drink! Great value too. It matured in a mixture of 1,000- and 3,000-liter oak foudres and 225- and 500-liter barrels. 22,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2022.”
75% Tempranillo from the Obarenes zone, and 25% Garnacha from Cárdenas.
£1895
£17.06
Save £1.90
* As part of a mixed case of any 12 bottles
Free UK delivery on orders over £250. Free South Wales delivery on orders over £100
Tel : 02922 337454
In stock
Purchase & earn 19 points!Alegre Valgañón is located in Rioja’s far west, with vineyards around the villages of Fonzaleche, and Sajazarra, and Galbárruri. Situated at the base of the Obarenes Mountains, the sub-zone is among the coolest in Rioja, and many of Rioja’s most esteemed names long sourced Tempranillo for their top blends there. No artificial fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides are employed, and harvesting is done by hand.
Fermented with ~ 25% stems in large wood, concrete and steel tanks. Macerations last roughly 30 days. Aged for18 months in a mix of used barrels ranging in size from bocoi to foudre.
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